6th Marine Regiment
Leadership
Colonel John R. Shafer
Commanding Officer, 6th Marine Regiment
Colonel Shafer, a New Mexico native, enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in May, 1983. Assigned to Company D, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion FMF(R), he completed the reconnaissance training pipeline and performed duties as a reconnaissance scout, assistant team leader, team leader, and parachute rigger. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged in order to receive his commission upon graduation from the University of New Mexico in December, 1988.
After graduating from The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course in Quantico, Lieutenant Shafer was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, where he led rifle and weapons platoons in B Company and deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He completed a Unit Deployment Program deployment to Okinawa, Japan while serving as the executive officer for Company C.
In July 1991 he was reassigned to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company where he served as a platoon commander, Force Reconnaissance Detachment OIC, Maritime Special Purpose Force commander, and as the assistant operations/parachute-dive officer. During this tour he completed a deployment with the 22d MEU (SOC) in support of Operation Provide Promise in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.
In May 1994 as a captain, he reported to the Presidio of Monterey for Dutch language training and was then subsequently reassigned as the US Marine officer to the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Exchange Program. With the Dutch, he served as the S2 for the 1st Battalion, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, and completed four deployments to Scotland, England and Norway in support of the UK/NL Landing Force, 3rd Commando Brigade, Royal Marines (UK).
Returning from overseas in 1996, Captain Shafer reported for Career Level School at Fort Benning, GA and then proceeded to 2d Battalion, 8th Marines where he commanded Company E. In May 1998, he served as the assistant operations officer, then the operations officer for the 8th Marine Regiment. Promoted to Major, he was reassigned to Small Craft Company, 2d Marine Division, where he served as the commanding officer and completed three deployments to South America in support of the semi-annual bi-lateral UNITAS exercise.
In June 2001, Major Shafer reported for duty as the Inspector-Instructor, Company D, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion. In May 2003, he was reassigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I. Upon redeployment, he resumed duties as the Inspector Instructor for Company D until June 2004, when he received orders to Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps.
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he initially served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, then as the Deputy Branch Head, Marine for Life (Injured Support) Program, Headquarters Marine Corps.
In May 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Shafer assumed command of 2d Reconnaissance Battalion where he deployed the Battalion in support of combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.2. In August 2008 Lieutenant Colonel Shafer relinquished command and was reassigned as the plans officer, 2d Marine Division. Throughout the remainder of his tour on the Division Staff he also served as the Deputy G3 and as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G3. In July of 2009 he proceeded to the National Defense University for Top Level School where he received a Master’s of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Colonel Shafer assumed command of the “Fightin’ Sixth” Marines on 16 June 2010.
In addition to TLS, Colonel Shafer has completed the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and Amphibious Warfare School (non-resident) programs as well as the US Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course. He is also a graduate of the Marine Corps’ Amphibious Reconnaissance School and combatant divers transition course, the Army’s Arctic Leader, Ranger, Pathfinder, Jumpmaster, Parachute Rigger/Air Delivery and Military Free-Fall Parachutist schools, Special Forces SERE and SERE Instructor courses, the Navy’s SCUBA divers school, and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Sniper school.
Colonel Shafer’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel Shafer and his wife have three sons, one of which is serving his first enlistment in the United States Marine Corps.
Sergeant Major Jamie A. Deets
Sergeant Major, 6th Marine Regiment
Sergeant Major Jamie A. Deets enlisted in the Marine Corps on 22 August 1984. Upon completion of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he was assigned to Battery E, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines where he completed the Basic Field Artillery Cannoneer Course. During this period he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
In 1985, he was transferred to RS Des Moines, Iowa for duty as a Recruiter Aide. During this tour he was meritoriously promoted to the ranks of Lance Corporal and Corporal. In 1986, Corporal Deets was transferred to the Second Marine Division and assigned to Battery H, Third Battalion, Twelfth Marines. His assigned duties were as a howitzer Section Chief. During this tour he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While assigned to Battery H, Sergeant Deets completed two Med Cruises and deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In June of 1991, upon return from Southwest Asia, Sergeant Deets was assigned to Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland. His primary duties were Sergeant of the Guard, Barracks Color Sergeant, and Operations Chief. In 1993 he was assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. and was assigned to Naval Academy Company. During this tour he attended the Basic Parachutist Course at Fort Benning, Georgia where he was selected as the Company Honor Graduate.
In June of 1994, Sergeant Deets was transferred to the First Marine Division and assigned to Battery C, First Battalion, Eleventh Marines for duty as Section Chief and Platoon Sergeant. During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. While assigned to Battery C, he completed a West Pac with Battalion Landing Team 3/1.
During July of 1998, Staff Sergeant Deets was transferred to Quantico, Virginia for duty with Headquarters and Service Company, The Basic School for duty as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. In December of 1998, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was assigned to Company C, BOC 3-99 for duty as the Senior Enlisted Advisor. Upon graduating Company C, Gunnery Sergeant Deets was assigned to the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Quantico, Virginia for duty as a Faculty Advisor.
In June of 2001, Gunnery Sergeant Deets was transferred to the First Battalion, Twelfth Marines and assigned to Battery B for duty as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant. During this assignment he completed a unit deployment to Okinawa in support of Third Battalion, Third Marines. He was awarded The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara for his artillery skill and knowledge. During 2002, he was transferred to Headquarters Battery for duty as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant. In February 2003, First Sergeant Deets assumed the duties as Battery First Sergeant for Headquarters Battery.
In May of 2004, First Sergeant Deets was transferred to Marine Corps Security Force Company, Europe for duty as the Company First Sergeant. In November of 2005, First Sergeant Deets was selected for promotion to the rank of Sergeant Major. In October of 2006, Sergeant Major Deets assumed his duties as Squadron Sergeant Major for Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533. During this tour he completed a Unit Deployment to Iwakuni, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program. In February 2009, Sergeant Major Deets was transferred to the 2D Marine Division and was assigned to the 2D Tank Battalion for duty as Battalion Sergeant Major.
In September of 2010, Sergeant Major Deets was reassigned to the 6th Marine Regiment for duty as Regimental Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Deets’ personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 3 gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 2 gold stars, the Combat Action Ribbon and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Sergeant Major Deets is married and has two children.