John Scanlan served in the USMC from 1994-98. While in the Marines, he served in California, North Carolina, and as he says, "Germany for two months by mistake.” He was Meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal when he finished at the top of his MOS class. He served in HQ Battery 10th Marines Motor T. At first, he was a truck driver and was one of two Logistical Vehicle Operators. Hauling heavy equipment for the engineer platoon in HQ Battery John became a fuel hauler, running a deuce and a half refueler that "no longer existed in the Marines.” Since the trucks were supposed to no longer exist, he also became the mechanic for the trucks. After his promotion to Corporal, he became a squad leader, the barracks NCO for his platoon and the parts room NCO. He left the Marines in 1998.

In June of 2001, Scanlan joined the 229th Combat Support Equipment Engineers, WI Army National Guard. He was sent to Nicaragua, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Germany, Washington D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota. He earned his eligibility for the VFW in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. As part of the 229th, he was a dump truck and lowboy operator. Not satisfied with just being a truck driver, he proceeded to learn how to operate all the equipment the company had, also serving as the licensing and training NCO, the Equal Opportunity NCO, the Family Support NCO, and a squad leader. While in Iraq, John was injured from an IED, receiving the Purple Heart. John was Medically Retired from the National Guard in 2013.

A member of Joseph F. McCrea Memorial VFW Post 7896 in Benton since his return from Iraq, John has served as Post Commander since 2009. He has also been District 3 Adjutant and Quartermaster and is a VFW Rider in his District. He has earned All-State honors as Post Commander, as well as All-State and All-American honors as District Quartermaster. He has also served as National Aide de Camp.

John currently works full-time as a Network Engineer. He also is a volunteer Emergency Medical First Responder for the Benton First Responders and Hazel Green Area Rescue Squad. A resident of Benton, John is married, with two kids, three stepchildren and four grandkids. In the little spare time he has, he enjoys riding motorcycles and camping.