After graduating Central High School in Providence, Rhode Island, he enrolled at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he was a member of the National Society of Pershing Rifles and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in foreign language education in 1972.

While enrolled and finishing his degree at Norfolk State University, he concurrently completed the Advanced ROTC program and was commissioned as a Regular Army officer in June 1972.

His military education includes the Army War College, Army Command and General Staff College, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, and the Adjutant General Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.

He assumed duties as the deputy chief of staff, G-1, United States Army, in June 2006.

[2] Since his retirement from the U.S. Army, he founded and is president and CEO, of MDR Strategies, LLC a strategic human capital consulting firm located in northern Virginia.