January 21, 2026 – To kick off our first Warfighter Wednesday of 2026, we’re shining the spotlight on Ignite Vice President, Mr. John “JD” Dickson. JD served in the United States Army for 20 years before joining Ignite in 2025. Today, JD continues his service by supporting Ignite’s U.S. Army Programs.
During the first decade of his Army career, JD was a 19A(Armor) Officer, where he served as a platoon leader, Battalion Staff Officer, and Troop Commander in various Armored Brigade Combat Teams.
The second half of his career was spent as a Functional Area 51 (Acquisitions) Officer. Within this role, he was an Assistant Product Manager for the following ground programs: RG-31 (Route Clearance); Robotics; and the Next Generation Combat Vehicle. JD’s final job was as the PATRIOT Ground Support Equipment Product Manager.
JD’s Past Assignments:
· Fort Knox, KY
· Fort Benning, GA
· Fort Rucker, AL
· Detroit Arsenal, MI
· Fort Leavenworth, KS
· Pentagon, Washington, DC
· Redstone Arsenal, AL
Deployments:
· Iraq (2 deployments)
· Afghanistan (1 deployment)
What’s a moment from your service that stands out to you?
“My first deployment to Iraq as a Scout Platoon Leader at the height of the surge defined my career and shaped the way I led and how I look at life to this day.” JD & his team were tasked with giving the Iraqi’s a chance to define what their post war world would look like. “What started off as a violent and chaotic time was brought to a sense of calm and order. I was very lucky; the men under my command were exceptional, I was surrounded by a group of people that I could trust and rely on, some of the best Soldiers anyone could have the pleasure to lead. I learned so much from them. Nothing is as hard as staring into the abyss and just jumping in, it’s much easier when you have battle buddies to make the leap with you.”
Personal Connections
JD has deep family ties to service; both of his grandfathers served during World War II. When he was a freshman in college, the Twin Towers were struck on September 11th, and he knew he wanted to answer the same call his grandfathers had. “I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and give back to the country I love so much.”
Lessons & Values:
“Being a Warfighter meant serving in the greatest Army for the greatest nation in the world.”
Over his two decades in the Army, JD built lasting friendships and strong sense of camaraderie with those he served alongside.
“Most importantly, you cannot do it all yourself. Success only comes when you have the trust and support of your subordinates.”
“Building trust creates a strong foundation for success. Building a team doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone is a friend, but it does mean that everyone trusts each other to do the right thing and work towards shared goals.”
Transition to Ignite
“It is my turn now to be that person for the next generation of warfighters.”
How did your military experience prepare you for your role at Ignite?
“Your proximity to the battlefield does not dictate your importance to it,” said JD.
“I so often relied on people I had never met out of necessity to have the best kit and the best support. I rarely ever thought about it, because they all did a great job. It is my turn now to be that person for the next generation of warfighters.”
JD loves that he can continue supporting his country outside of the battlefield in his current role at Ignite. “I have one of the best jobs in the world for a retired Army Officer,” JD stated.
“If I can take one burden off their shoulder, freeing them to make one extra decision that moves us closer to victory on the battlefield – then I know I’ve done my part.”
Advice for Those Serving or Transitioning:
When asked what advice he would give to those currently serving our country or making the transition to civilian life, JD shared:
“I cannot stress enough how important it is to surround yourself with people who you can rely on to help you make sound decisions, and to identify solutions to complex problems.”
It is an honor to have you as a teammate, JD!