A 1983 graduate of Purdue University and holds master's degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College. He retired in 2009 after serving twenty-six years in the Navy. A nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, he served aboard five ships, and most recently at sea as Executive Officer in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44). Assignments include Steam Propulsion Instructor at Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course, Financial Policy Officer at Headquarters Staff, U.S. Transportation Command, and Professor of Strategy in the Strategy and Policy Department at the Naval War College. Currently a strategy professor in the College of Distance Education at the Naval War College.