Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Operational experience as a Naval Flight Officer in the EA-6B Prowler with operational tours in VAQ-141 and VAQ-130. Combat carrier operations in SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN, on USS ENTERPRISE (2001), LINCOLN (2006) and TRUMAN (2010). Pentagon tour working for Asst. Sec. of the Navy (FM&C) as a budget writer in FMB-1, writing the Navy's $9.5B ship maintenance and depot budgets. Subspecialty designations in naval strategy and defense financial management.