Lieutenant Colonel Rhea is originally from Carmel, IN and graduated from Indiana University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.

His Marine Corps’ career began with Officer Candidate Course 190 and The Basic School in Quantico, VA from 2005 to 2006. Next, he completed the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program Indoctrination Course at Whiting Field, FL as the honor graduate and was subsequently designated an Aircraft Maintenance Officer.

In October 2007, 2ndLt Rhea reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 for duty as the Ground Support Equipment and Airframes Division Officer-in-Charge. He was later assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Four as the Maintenance Material Control Officer. 1stLt Rhea deployed with VMAQ-4 to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 09.1.

In July 2010, he reported to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, where he initially served as the Quality Assurance Officer, and later assumed the duties of the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer.

Captain Rhea reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 at Beaufort, SC in July 2014. During this assignment, he primarily served as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, followed by a stint as the Production Control Officer.

In May 2017, Major Rhea reported to Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, where he served as the Senior Watch Officer and Deputy Current Operations Officer at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

He was selected to attend the Naval War College in Newport, RI, where he reported as a student in July 2018. The following summer, he graduated with distinction and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies.

In July 2019, he reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, AZ, to serve as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer.

He reported to the Marine Aviation Detachment at Patuxent River, MD in July 2022. He was then assigned to F/A-18 Program Office in Naval Air Systems Command, where he served as the F/A-18A-D Assistant Program Manager for Logistics.

LtCol Rhea reported to his current assignment in June 2023.

He is married and has 3 children.

LtCol Rhea’s awards include: The Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.