 A 1984 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he holds a master's degree in Aeronautics.He is also a graduate of Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.He has flown the F-4 Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornet with VMFA-333, VMFA-235, VMFA-115, the Navy's VFA-125, VMFA-531 and Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1).