Early in his career, Van Wagenen was assigned to Erlangen, Germany, as Tank Platoon Leader and Battalion Motor Officer in the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in 1992.

After completing Advanced Courses from Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned as an Assistant Operations Officer, 2d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division in Georgia from April 1996 to May 1997.

From July 2013 to June 2014, Van Wagenen was a senior service college fellow at George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany.

[16] In April 2017, Van Wagenen was Deputy Commanding General (Support), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas and Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Afghanistan.

[20][21][22] From October 2019 to May 2021 he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Kingdom.