Captain John Lauer was born in Toms River, New Jersey and grew up in Potsdam, New York. He graduated from Hobart College in 1983 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology. He earned his commission in September of 1985 from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

His initial sea assignment was in USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) as Fire Control and Weapons Officer from August of 1986 till March of 1988. During this tour, USS GUADALCANAL was deployed to the Arabian Gulf. He then reported to USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD 974) and served as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer for two years. Captain Lauer then reported to Naval Postgraduate School and completed the Manpower Training and Analysis curriculum in June of 1991, earning a Master’s of Science in management.  Upon completion of Naval Post Graduate School, Captain Lauer reported to the commissioning crew of USS VELLA GULF (CG 72) in October of 1992, where he served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer from October 1992 till August 1996. During his tour, VELLA GULF earned three Battle Efficiency Awards and completed her first deployment.

In August of 1996, he reported to Bureau of Naval Personnel where he served as the Surface Junior officer Shore Coordinator. In July of 1997, he was selected to serve as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Surface Warfare (N86). In March of 1998, Captain Lauer detached from OPNAV staff and reported to Naval War College and earned a master’s degree in Foreign Affairs.

Upon completion of Naval War College, he reported aboard USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73) as Executive Officer.  During his tour, PORT ROYAL deployed to Arabian Gulf as the Air Defense Commander for the JOHN C. STENNIS Battle Group. In October of 2000, he reported to the Joint Staff in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5). He served as a missile defense policy planner and missile defense branch chief. He assumed command of USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) in March of 2004. USS CURTIS WILBUR made history as the first ship to deploy in support of proof of concept operations for long-range search and track in support of Ballistic Missile Defense and won the Battle “E”. In December of 2005, Captain Lauer reported to COMPACFLT as the Ballistic Missile Defense Officer until June of 2008.