His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Commander's Course. His decorations and awards include the Ranger Tab, Master Parachutists Wings and the Legion of Merit.” Lieutenant Colonel John D. Lock is the author of To Fight with Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present; Rangers in Combat: A Legacy of Valor; Chain of Destiny; and, The Coveted Black And Gold: A Daily Journey Through the U.S. Army Ranger School Experience.

According to the book description of The Coveted Black And Gold: A Daily Journey Through the U.S. Army Ranger School Experience, “For more than 200 years, U.S. Army Rangers have earned their unrivaled reputation as the world's premier warriors with bravery, blood, and sacrifice. Being a Ranger is a function of attitude and a state of mind, as well as a matter of skills and training, and it is the mission of the U.S. Army Ranger School to meld and to fortify these attributes. Ranger School is a journey that must be taken one day at a time...and each day of that journey is captured in this book. It is the cumulative effect of each of those days, the arduous work, the deprivation, the misery, that leads to what is ultimately called "the Ranger School experience.”

One reader of The Coveted Black And Gold: A Daily Journey Through the U.S. Army Ranger School Experience said, “Reading this book opened all the floodgates of memory of my own Ranger School class in the winter of 1970. I had forgotten so much of the physical punishment, of one C-ration a day while climbing the mountains and wading the swamps, of teeth-shattering snow and icy swamp water, of hallucinating and sleeping on my feet, of dropping to 125 pounds on a 5-foot 10-inch frame. And more than the physical, there was the emotional and the mental toll. Heartbreakingly exhausting past exhaustion. There were times when the book invoked such vivid memories of misery that I really wanted to just put it down and walk away for awhile. What an outstanding book! I'm amazed that the author was able to pull off keeping the journal and his small Kodak cartridge camera through all the Ranger instructor equipment shake-down inspections. I'm also amazed at the consistency of his experiences and mine. People have asked me through the years, "What was Ranger School like?" I never could begin to find any words to do the experience justice. How do I describe the indescribable? Now, however, J.D. Lock has done just that. The next time I'm asked, I'll just hand them the book and answer, "Here. Read." Every Ranger or family of a Ranger should have this book. Rangers Lead The Way, Sir!”

One reader of The Coveted Black And Gold: A Daily Journey Through the U.S. Army Ranger School Experience said, “Our son is in Ranger school as we speak. He is a West Point Graduate and an infantry officer with 8 years to serve. While the book was dated it has been invaluable for us to follow essentially day by day the experiences our son is enduring. Each day we read the entry corresponding to our son's ranger training day. For me, that is the example of a book which has stood the test of time. Written in 1980 and useful in 2009. Well done.”

One reader of To Fight with Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present said, “For those who don't know, the legendary US Army Rangers are the most highly trained infantry unit on earth. The Rangers are also the proudest unit in the US Army due to their long and colorful history that dates all the way back to the 1600's. This book is an exhausting and detailed history of the US Army Rangers. By reading about the horrific battles the Rangers have fought (including the one at the beginning of Saving Private Ryan) you will instantly respect the heritage and culture of the Army Ranger. So read this book and then knock out a hundred pushups for the Rangers! Hooaah!”

One reader of To Fight with Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present said, “John lock has been there and done that. Both as a United States Army Ranger and as a military historian. While the reading dries out occasionally you can refresh yourself by stepping back and putting the words on the page in the context of the time and place the men were performing their deeds. From Major Rogers and the French-Indian War to Saving Private Ryan to the two Medals of Honor awarded in Somalia, Lock covers the entire history of the United States Army Rangers.”

According to the book description of Chain of Destiny, “Theirs is a nearly impossible mission: strike deep into the heart of Russia to defeat a nuclear-armed terrorist. But in a series of events that go terribly wrong, Ranger Captain Nathaniel Ames finds himself thrust back within the historical events of the American Civil War, a war that changed the world forever, the outcome of which Ames may now have the power to change. But for what purpose? The answer to that question eventually leads Nathaniel Ames to discover his destiny.”

One reader of Chain of Destiny said, “John D Lock sets (with this book)a example of how history can be used in fictional works without distorting or slanting the historical events. If you are a fan of Scifi and or military history you should love this book.

It would make a excellent addition to the reading list of anyone studying the 'Civil War' and 'Gettysburg'. If you want to get a child interested in reading and in history invest in this book.”

Take a stand with Robert Rogers and his outnumbered Rangers during the French and Indian War. Ride with Mosby on the Soughton Raid in the Civil War. In World War II, spearhead Patton's invasion of Sicily beside the legendary William O. Darby, suicidally climb the cliffs of Pointe-du-Hoc with James Earl Rudder, or storm "bloody Omaha" with Max Schneider. Stand outnumbered deep in North Korea while defending Hill 205 against overwhelming hordes of Communist Chinese. And high atop a mountain in Afghanistan, fight your way out of a savage al Qaeda terrorist ambush.

From the snowy forests of Upstate New York and the swamps of South Carolina, to the humid streets of Mogadishu and the snowy mountain peaks of Afghanistan, read accounts of and lessons learned from some of the most courageous, daring, and vicious ground combat in the annals of U.S. military history. Enter the combat zone with elite warriors who have helped to change the course of history.”

The Midwest Book Review said of Rangers in Combat: A Legacy of Valor, “Written by former Army noncommissioned officer and former assistant professor of the US Military Academy at West Point J.D. Lock, Rangers in Combat: A Legacy of Valor is a survey of the lethal battles, acts of heroism, and faithful dedication of the U.S. Army Rangers, who have placed their lives on the line against crushing odds for more than 200 years of American history. In scrutinizing their courage, Rangers in Combat examines the question, "What makes them heroes?" The answer lies in the many examples of the Rangers' intrepidity, initiative, training, fearlessness, endurance, planning, confidence, sacrifice, brotherhood, and other powerful qualities, examples drawn from battles throughout historical record from the French and Indian War to both World Wars, the Korean War, the modern-day war on terror, and more. Black-and-white photographs are interspersed amid the examples, observations, and portraits of incredible individuals in this shining tribute to the men who have given, and continue to give, their all for their country.

One reader of Rangers in Combat: A Legacy of Valor said, “In LTC.JD Lock's attempt to impart the history of the 'U.S.Rangers' (of which he is one) he has succeeded in relating not only the long and distinguished history of the Rangers but also gives us in doing so a real look at the heart of the 'Citizen Soldier'. Our U.S. servicemen from inception to present day have displayed by and with their service what it is that has made and kept this country 'The Greatest Nation in the World'. Personal responsibility, honor, duty and service to nation!!!(all good words to remember).”

According to the book description of To Fight with Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present, “For more than 200 years, U.S. Army Rangers have fought suicidal combat missions against overwhelming odds—earning their unrivaled reputation as the world’s premier warriors with bravery and blood. Now, in the first complete chronicle of this elite combat force, Ranger qualified Lieutenant Colonel JD Lock vividly brings to life the horrific battles and the heroic exploits of a special breed of men for whom “valor, honor, and country” mean more than life itself.

Take a stand with Robert Rogers and his outnumbered Rangers at La Barbue Creek... Ride with Mosby on the Stoughton Raid... Spearhead Patton’s invasion of Sicily beside legendary modern Ranger founder William O. Darby... Outnumbered 13:1, defend Hill 205 against overwhelming hordes of Communist Chinese... Feel the adrenaline rush of the Red Devil Raiders as they hunt Viet Cong guerrillas within Vietnam’s Quang Tri Region. From the woods and rivers of the French and Indian War to the chaotic and merciless dirt streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, enter combat with the elite warriors who have changed the course of history.”