Born into a Navy Submarine Family, he traveled the world as a child. Enlisted in the Army in 1968 after two worthless years of college and became an Army helicopter pilot serving for 18 months in Vietnam. Was promoted to a commissioned officer while serving in Vietnam and stayed on active duty until 1993. In that time he commanded rifle companies at Fort Lewis Washington and Anchorage Alaska where he commanded an airborne company. Highlight of his career was commanding an air assault infantry battalion during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. The Army sent him back to college to finish his bachelors degree and later working on my own, two master degrees. Once he retired he went into private business and finally retired in 2015. He has two sons, both Army officers who rose up through the ranks like their grandfather and father.