Ferrari is a veteran of the Iraq War and Operation Spartan Shield, and his assignments included command of Joint Area Support Group – Central, Multi-National Force – Iraq, the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 42nd Infantry Division, and Task Force Spartan.

[1][2][3][4] Mario Ferrari was a World War II veteran and longtime member of the United States Army Reserve and a career law enforcement officer with the Camden Police Department.

[5] Ferrari was raised and educated in the Camden area, including Stratford, and is a 1980 graduate of Somerdale's Sterling High School, where he played baseball and football.

[10] He then attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and he received his commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery in March 1982.

[11] He was assigned as assistant plans, operations, and training officer (G3) at the New Jersey Army National Guard's Fort Dix headquarters from March to April 2002.

[11] He was assigned as assistant chief of staff at the New Jersey National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters from March 2004 to January 2006.

[11][12] He also continued his professional military education with graduation from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

[11] From January 2006 to May 2006 Ferrari was assigned as director of military support at the New Jersey National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters.