John was born in Baltimore, MD in 1979. Being a Maryland native and of the generation that
grew up watching Top Gun he always wanted to be a Navy Fighter Pilot (what kid didn’t).
However, his vision could not be fulfilled because he could not meet the requirements. In 1996
He graduated high school a year early, much to his school’s dismay, and joined the Army
Infantry. Graduating OSUT training in December of 1996, he was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas.
This promptly led to a deployment to Bosnia just days after his 18 th birthday. To keep with’
wonderful timing’ he spent his 21 st birthday at The National Training Center, Fort Irwin CA. As
luck would have it his vehicle was one of the first out of the motor pool draw and he was one of
4 vehicles selected for the first “mission” on his actual birthday. He completed 4 years in the
Infantry, all at Fort Riley, reaching the rank of Sergeant before ETSing back to Baltimore, MD.

Shortly after he returned to Baltimore he began an Electrical Apprenticeship program. He now
holds a Master Electrician License and runs a small electrical company in the Baltimore area.
His time in the Army created some friendships that would last forever. Even at 45 years old,
married to his lovely wife Shayna Boyer and raising his son, Haydn Boyer, he will still get
together with Army brothers whenever possible.

Bucket List Dreams is giving John the opportunity to attend the famous Army/Navy game with
an Army ‘brother’ that was 2 beds up from me in Basic training and who is still one of his best
friends.