I am the oldest of three children born and raised on a dairy farm near Monticello, Iowa. In 1987 I enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1990 I entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force where I served as a Security Policemen until 1994. I was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on 3 May 2000 and served in two parish assignments within the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa until becoming an active duty U.S. Army Chaplain. I am a Catholic priest and an active duty U.S. Army Chaplain.