Edward Winters graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979 and subsequently attended Officer Candidate School in 1980.

Winters then reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and graduated from BUD/S class 112 in May 1981.

[1] In December 1983, Winters volunteered for assignment to SEAL Team Six at Dam Neck, Virginia and completed a specialized selection and training course.

[4] Winters relieved Joseph D. Kernan in 2003 as commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Development Group until 2005.

From April 2007 to June 2008 Winters deployed to Iraq as commander of the Iraqi National Counterterrorism Force Transition Team.