In May of 1984, John enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his four years of military service, Sensei John developed a martial arts dance act by setting karate to music and performing nationwide as an Air Force entertainer until his honorable discharge in March of 1988.
However, John was to last only six months out of the military as Iraq invaded Kuwait. Sensei John, an Air Force reservist, was put on active duty and stationed in Germany as part of Operation Desert Storm. He served as a dietitian and helped wounded and sick soldiers recover their health.
In 1997, Sensei John produced an event known as "Universal Harmony Day" on Columbus Avenue in front of ABC. The goal of the event was to raise awareness and money to help fight child abuse. Sensei John was helped by many of his students, some of whom were celebrities and wanted to support such a worthy cause.
From 1997 to 2000, Sensei John's "Philosophy of the Week" was heard every Friday morning on Z-100 radio: his community service was to reach out to New Yorkers and give them something to think about and discuss.
In 2001 he became the first American to teach karate at New York's prestigious Nippon Club, a Japanese social organization. His goal was to give back to Japanese culture by bridging the gap in U.S./Japanese relations through martial arts teaching.
In 2006, through Sensei John's efforts and the support of ABC television, World Blackbelt, Tiger Claw magazine, Parent Guide magazine, Battle of Atlanta newspaper, September 11th, was declared Universal Harmony Day. ABC television sponsored and produced a thirty second PSA commercial featuring Sensei John announcing September 11th as Universal Harmony Day. This holiday was presented as a day for giving and a celebration of humanity.
In 2008, Sensei John formed a partnership with the African organization, MaAfrica Tikkun. He and his family personally hosted two young women from an impoverished South African community for two months. They provided intense physical and spiritual training that they brought back to their village.
In 2009, Sensei John published his first book, Philosophy of the Week, which is used as a fundamental guide tool for his students as well as the general public.
In 2016 Sensi John was sought out by General Electric to be its special guest speaker for GE's Annual Global Leadership Conference with representatives of 70 countries present, speaking alongside notable guests such as Melinda Gates.
In 2010, Sensei John Mirrione's National Stop Bullying Campaign was launched on Oprah Radio Saturday, December 11th, 1:15 PM on the Derrick Ashong Show. The year-long, national, public-awareness and philanthropic effort, designed to support Stop bullying causes, began in Chicago in December 2010.
Sensei John traveled to cities across the country to share his inspiring story with school children and teach them about building inner strength through meditation and philosophy.
In 2015, as a result of the Sensei John's efforts traveling to 17 cities across the country, the Harmony Power Foundation was formed. The charity's mission is to "stand up to bullying and stand for human equality."
In the same year, Sensei John did a TV Show with legendary Deepak Chopra on bullying and the Harmony Power Foundation's mission. This show aired worldwide on numerous media outlets building awareness on this global crisis.
In 2016, Sensei John realized that schools' policies were very reactive in recognizing children when they misbehaved. He developed the Harmony Power Award program, which will impact millions of children by recognizing them for promoting harmony in the world through art, music, dance, community service, etc. This concept was submitted as an NJ Bill by Assemblywoman Sumpter, and a has become a part of NJ's "Week Of Respect."