Before that, he served as Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

[4] Born in Los Angeles County, California,[2] Sonntag graduated from Glendora High School in 1982.

Upon completion of the Naval Command and Staff College at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in 2000, he returned to the 5th SFG(A) to command another company, serve as a battalion’s executive officer during Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, and as the 5th SFG (A) executive officer.

After that, he served as Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In his final assignment, he served as Commanding General of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) from May 2017 to August 2019.