LtCol Medina graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Sciences, Professional Pilot Track. He holds multiple private and commercial pilot certificate ratings. In June 1994, he was selected for the officer program via the Platoon Leaders Class and reported to Officer Candidate School (OCS), Quantico, VA in June 1995. After completing OCS he returned to Oklahoma, completed his degree, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in October 1995.
After completing the Basic School in 1996, 2nd Lt Medina reported to Training Wing 5 Headquarters, Whiting Field, Florida where he served as the Assistant Aviation Safety Officer (AASO.) He later attended flight training and Aircraft Maintenance Officer’s course at NAS Pensacola, Florida where he was also promoted to First Lieutenant.
Following completion of AMO School, he reported to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing where he was subsequently assigned as the Quality Assurance Officer for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 (MALS-36). During his tour with MALS-36 he also served as the Ground Safety Officer and Ground Support Equipment Officer. In 1998 he sailed aboard the USS Belleau Wood as the MALS-36 Detachment OIC for Operation Desert Fox.
In June 1999, 1stLt Medina reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futema, Okinawa, Japan as the Maintenance & Material Control Officer (MMCO). He was promoted to Captain in October 1999, and was assigned as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer. In addition to deployments with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Captain Medina also participated in the Special MAGTF to East Timor aboard the USS Juneau and the USS Essex as part of a standby NEO mission to Indonesia. In June 2002, Captain Medina reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) at Quantico, VA. Following graduation from EWS In May 2003, Captain Medina was transferred to Naval Air Depot, Cherry Point, Havelock, NC as the Engines Program Officer and the Executive/Presidential Helicopter Engine Program Officer. He was promoted to Major in October 2005.
In January 2006, Major Medina was transferred to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29, Marine Aircraft Group 29 where he was assigned as the Operations and Family Readiness Officer. In January 2007 he deployed for 12 months to Iraq in support of combat operations OIF 06-08 with MALS 29. In August 2007 through June 2009 he served as the Executive Officer of MALS 29. From June 2009 through June of 2010 Major Medina attended Command and Staff College at Quantico, VA. From June 2010 through May 2012 he served as Senior Operations Officer, Surveillance Officer, and Assistant Deputy Director of Operations for Team 4 at the National Military Command Center (NMCC), Nuclear Command and Control Operations (NC2). From May 2012 to April 2013, he served as the NMCC’s Security and Configuration Branch Chief where he continued supported the 5 Operational Teams conducting current and future operations and NC2 Operations at the Pentagon under the Joint Chief of Staff, J-3, Deputy Director Command and Control and Nuclear Operations. He was promoted to LtCol in June 2012.