John Burke

John Burke is the author of The Devil Dog Dictionary: An Unofficial Guide to Words and Expressions of the United States Marine Corps, a reference work dedicated to preserving the language, traditions and culture of the United States Marine Corps.

A former Marine Corps intelligence specialist and Marine Security Guard, Burke served on active duty from 1983 to 1989. His assignments included 1st Battalion, 9th Marines; 1st Marine Regiment; Marine Security Guard detachments at the U.S. Embassies in Guatemala, Czechoslovakia and Finland; and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 235 (VMFA-235) at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Those experiences introduced him to the colorful language, humor and traditions that have long united Marines across generations.

Following his military service, Burke earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Southern Maine. He built a career spanning journalism, corporate communications and strategic storytelling, writing for newspapers and leading communications for organizations in both the public and private sectors. Today, he serves as an Internal Communications Manager for SBA Communications, where he develops executive communications, employee engagement initiatives and global internal communication strategies.

Published in conjunction with the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary, The Devil Dog Dictionary has earned recognition for its contribution to preserving Marine Corps heritage. The book was formally accepted into the Commandant's Library as Entry #1144 and was featured in the July 2026 issue of U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, where retired Marine Corps Colonel John C. McKay described it as "a unique and worthwhile book" and praised it as "a notable work that adds nuance and understanding to what makes humans fight, and sometimes die, for a cause greater than themselves."

Through his writing, Burke seeks to preserve more than definitions. He documents the words, expressions and traditions that reflect the esprit de corps, shared experiences and enduring legacy of Marines around the world. His goal is to ensure that the language of the Corps continues to educate, inspire and connect future generations of Marines, veterans, families and military historians.

Burke lives in Jupiter, Florida.