John “Shrek” McPhee is a retired U.S. Army Special Operations soldier who spent more than 20 years in elite units, including the famous Delta Force. Today he runs SOB Tactical, trains shooters around the world, and recently made headlines as the boyfriend of RHOBH star Erika Jayne.
John McPhee Delta Wikipedia
John McPhee is best known by two nicknames, “Shrek” and “The Sheriff of Baghdad.” He served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, then the Army Special Forces, and later in the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, better known as Delta Force.
He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, and his early years were anything but easy. He has shared that he was living mostly on his own from around age 12 until he was 16.
After retiring from the Army in 2011, he built a business around firearms training and tactical gear. Big podcast interviews and viral videos turned him into one of the most recognized faces in the veteran world.
One quick note: he is not the same person as John McPhee, the well-known American author and Princeton professor. They just share a name.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John McPhee |
| Nickname | Shrek, The Sheriff of Baghdad |
| Profession | Retired Army Special Operations Soldier, Firearms Instructor, Entrepreneur |
| Date of Birth | 1971 |
| Age | About 55 years old (2026) |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Ethnicity | White American |
| Known For | Delta Force service, SOB Tactical, dating Erika Jayne |
John McPhee’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance?
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Weight | Around 230 lbs (104 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Dark gray, kept very short |
| Body Type | Large, muscular build |
John McPhee is a big man, and that is no secret. He stands about 6 feet 1 inch tall and carries a heavy, strong frame built over decades of military training.
His size is actually part of how he got the “Shrek” nickname. He once moved a heavy object on his own that normally took several people, and a teammate joked that he was like an ogre. The name stuck.
Even in his 50s, he keeps himself in solid shape. He still trains regularly on the range and on camera, and his tough, no-nonsense look fits well with the tactical brand he has built.
John McPhee Career
John’s military career started in the early 1990s when he joined the U.S. Army. He was first assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Savannah, Georgia.
His first days in the Rangers were rough. Other soldiers teased him about his strong Chicago accent, but he pushed through and found his place in the unit.
He later earned his Green Beret in the Special Forces. After that, he passed the very tough selection process for Delta Force, the Army’s top counterterrorism unit. Over his career, he deployed to places like Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
He retired in 2011 and started SOB Tactical, a company that sells training gear and offers firearms courses. He also created SOB TV, an online platform where he uses video to break down shooting technique.
On top of that, he works in private security, and one of his best-known clients is reality star Heidi Montag.
Is He Married? Who Is John McPhee’s Wife?
John McPhee does not currently have a wife. He has been open about the fact that he has gone through “several” divorces, and he has said military life was hard on his marriages.
His most recent marriage was to Jennifer Blanton. Reports say the two were together for about a decade, and John filed for divorce in February 2025.
Today, he is in a relationship with Erika Jayne from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The two met backstage at the Mighty Hoopla festival in London in 2025, where Erika walked right up and introduced herself.
They were first spotted holding hands in Los Angeles in July 2025. As of 2026, Erika has said they are still going strong.
John McPhee’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5 Million |
| 2024 | $2 Million |
| 2025 | $2.5 Million |
| 2026 | $3 Million (Current) |
As of 2026, John McPhee’s net worth is estimated at around $3 million. Most of his money comes from SOB Tactical, which sells holsters, slings, everyday carry tools, and apparel.
He also earns from SOB TV, his paid training platform, and from in-person classes for civilians, police, and military groups. His YouTube channel and large Instagram following bring in ad income and brand deals as well.
His private security work adds another steady stream of income. His wealth has grown quickly since 2023, mostly because his podcast appearances and his link to Erika Jayne pushed his name into the mainstream.
Family Background
John McPhee grew up in a working-class area on the South Side of Chicago, close to the old steel mills. His childhood was violent and unstable, and he has spoken about abuse at home.
At around 12 years old, he was basically on his own. During that time, he picked up mechanical skills and later worked as a welder and mechanic before joining the Army.
He has not shared much about his parents or siblings in public. He keeps details about any children private as well. However, he is known as the godfather of Gunner, the son of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.
Major Events in John McPhee’s Life
- Early 1990s: Joined the U.S. Army and became an Army Ranger.
- 2000s: Served with Delta Force in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has spoken about taking part in the Battle of Tora Bora during the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
- Iraq years: Earned the nickname “The Sheriff of Baghdad.”
- 2011: Retired from the Army and launched SOB Tactical.
- 2024: Appeared on The Shawn Ryan Show, which brought him a huge new audience.
- 2025: Started dating Erika Jayne.
In 2025, an online video questioned parts of his service record. John pushed back on the claims, and no official military findings have been made public.
Lesser-Known Facts About John McPhee
| Fun Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Before the Army | Welder and mechanic |
| Godson | Gunner Pratt, son of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt |
| Viral Moment | A road rage training video showing why he stays calm instead of fighting |
| Favorite Motto | Efficiency means speed and accuracy with perfect technique |
| Training Style | Video diagnostics to fix shooting mistakes |
| Where He Met Erika | Mighty Hoopla festival in London |
| Panama Trip | Took Erika Jayne on a getaway to Panama City’s old town |
John has a fun side that many people don’t expect. One of his most popular videos is not about combat at all. It shows him sitting calmly in his car while an actor screams and bangs on the window. His lesson is simple: words can’t hurt you, so don’t take the bait.
He also believes that practice alone is not enough. In his view, only perfect practice leads to real improvement, which is why he records students and breaks down every move on video.
Before he became a soldier, he was earning good money as a welder. He gave that up to chase the Ranger life.
Erika Jayne has described him as calm and centered, and she has said that his peaceful energy is what first drew her to him.
John McPhee Social Media
John McPhee is very active online, and most of his accounts run under the SOB Tactical name.
- Instagram (@sobtactical): His biggest platform, with about 1 million followers. He posts training clips, gear, and stories almost every day.
- YouTube (@sobtactical): Around 400,000 subscribers. The channel features training tips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.
- Threads (@sobtactical): About 21,000 followers.
- X / Twitter (@sobtactical): Used for updates and short posts.
- TikTok and Facebook (@sobtactical): Short videos and brand updates.
He keeps his relationship with Erika Jayne mostly off social media.
FAQs
1. How old is John McPhee from Delta Force?
He was born in 1971 and is about 55 years old in 2026.
2. How tall is John “Shrek” McPhee?
He stands about 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
3. Who is John McPhee dating?
He is dating Erika Jayne, star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, since mid-2025.
4. What is John McPhee’s nationality?
He is American and grew up in Chicago, Illinois.
5. What does John McPhee do now?
He runs SOB Tactical, teaches firearms training, creates content online, and works in private security.