He is a U.S. Army Reserve officer and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom; after command at all levels, he led the 926th Engineer Brigade of the 412th Reserve Theater Engineer Command. He currently serves as deputy director of contracting at UnitedHealthcare. He holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College; a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Sullivan University; and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of the Cumberlands. He has published analyses in the U.S. Army War College Press, Columbia University’s Journal of International Affairs, the U.S. Army Engineer Magazine, and The Diplomat magazine.