General Rhodes was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, in May 1987 through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Mississippi State University where he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
He has served in command and staff positions at every level, including Commander, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Deputy Commander, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Commander, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, Chief of Staff, MSARNG Element. General Rhodes served on active duty as the Mortar Platoon Leader for the 6th Battalion, 6th Infantry Battalion, 1st Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He also served as the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom III in 2005, and served as the Deputy Commander of 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom 9.2 in 2009-2010
Major General John M. Rhodes serves as the Commander, 29th Infantry Division, Fort Belvoir, VA.
Rhodes is the General Manager of City of Corinth Gas and Water Department, Corinth, Mississippi. He is responsible for providing a safe, reliable, and sufficient supply of water and natural gas to nearly 15,000 customers with quality service at a reasonable cost using effective management and sound business practices.