Lt. Col. John D. Fleming ’94, USMC (Ret.), was named the director of the Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center (VRSC), a department within the Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs.

Established in 2012, the VRSC provides personalized and continuous support to undergraduate and graduate Aggie veterans and military-affiliated Aggies by assisting in a successful transition to, and through, Texas A&M. The department provides a welcoming space, peer leadership, innovative programs and a vast array of tools and resources to facilitate individual academic and personal success.

Since 2020, Fleming has served as the operations director for the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and prior to that was the cadet training officer.

“It is my honor to continue serving the current student population, and as one of the top veteran-serving institutions in the nation, service to our country is ingrained in the fabric of Texas A&M,” Fleming said. “Aggie Veterans, military-affiliated Aggies, and their families have earned and deserve the very best we can provide.”

“John brings a wealth of experience to the position of director of the VRSC,” said Texas A&M Vice President for Student Affairs Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez ‘79, USA (Ret.). “I am confident that John will use his background and experience to build upon the solid foundation that Jerry Smith built and take the VRSC to even greater heights. I look forward to working with John and the great team at the VRSC who do much to support our student veterans at Texas A&M.”

Fleming is replacing Col. Jerry Smith ’82, USMC (Ret.), who served as the department’s director since its inception in 2012.

“I’m excited to build on the great work accomplished by Col. Jerry Smith and the dedicated team of professionals in the VRSC,” Fleming added. “Student veteran success will remain front and center as we set new and exciting standards for serving well those who have served.”

A motor transport and logistics officer, Fleming served with the First Marine Division, First and Second Marine Logistics Groups, and the Third Marine Aircraft Wing. Fleming deployed with the 11th and 24th Marine Expeditionary Units and completed multiple combat deployments in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Fleming retired from active duty at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2015 after commanding Marine Wing Support Squadron-371 in Yuma, Ariz.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va.

Fleming and his wife of more than 29 years, the former Amanda Miller of McAllen, have two children: Garrett and Gracen.