He led the expansion of submarine-launched ballistic missile programs and the OMEGA Navigation System used for communication to the U.S. submarine fleet.

As a commander, Van Leer led numerous engineering projects for the Navy during the Vietnam War and was promoted to Captain.

Van Leer also complemented this program with an extensive Naval base expansion in Charleston, SC.

[4][7] In 1970, Van Leer was assigned to Fegley Glacier to lead the nuclear research and power unit at McMurdo Station during Operation Deep Freeze.

[15] Peck also received the National Community Service Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution organization and both Van Leers are a descendant of Samuel Van Leer, an American Revolutionary War Captain and Founding Father General Anthony Wayne.