Lieutenant Colonel Guard is a native of Friendsville, Maryland.  He attended the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and commissioned in 2007 following his graduation.

After completing The Basic School in 2008 and Basic Communications Officer Course in 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Guard reported to 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. There he served as the regimental Assistant Communications Officer and the 2d Battalion, 11th Marines Communications Officer.

Upon Lieutenant Colonel Guard’s selection to Captain in 2011, he received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served with 8th Communications Battalion until 2014.  He served as the Charlie Company Commander for a year when he was selected to deploy with the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa as the J-6 Current Operations Officer.  Post-deployment in 2013, Lieutenant Guard took command of General Support Company, 8th Communications Battalion.  In 2014 Lieutenant Colonel Guard received orders to report to Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

During that time, he served as a Watch Officer in the Command Operations Center, the Deputy Current Operations Officer, and the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander.  Following Lieutenant Colonel Guard’s promotion to Major, he reported to 1st Marine Logistics Group aboard Camp Pendleton, California.  He served as the G-6 Operations Officer for a year when he received orders to report to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to serve as their Communications Officer.  During that time, he deployed with the command element as the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command from 2018 to 2019.

Following his return, Lieutenant Colonel Guard reported to Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia to attend Command and Staff College.  Upon his graduation in 2020, he reported to Manpower Management Officer Assignment Branch to serve as the Plans Officer.  Following his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he transitioned to the Section Head of the Plans, Programs, and Boards within Officer Assignments.

Lieutenant Colonel Guard’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.