A native of Birchwood, Wisconsin, Small served aboard the USS Camden (AOE-2) during the Gulf War.

Other early assignment for Small include serving aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), as well as with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division and the Missile Defense Agency.

During the Iraq War, he served with the Joint CREW Composite Squadron One.

Small became program executive officer for integrated warfare systems in 2016.

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