Colonel Danielson was born in eastern Pennsylvania and raised in south Florida. He enlisted in the Navy from 1987-1991 and served as an aircraft mechanic with VP-92, which included deployments to Portugal, Spain, Sicily and Bermuda. After leaving active duty, he transferred to the Navy Reserves and attended college and law school at Florida State University. In 1997, he completed Officer Candidates School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. After completing The Basic School and Naval Justice School, he was designated a Judge Advocate.
Since 1998, Colonel Danielson served in I, II, and III Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF), and in each subordinate element of the MEF including 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Force Service Support Group, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 2d Marine Division, and 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. His duties in these assignments were typical of a company and field grade 4402 judge advocate, including serving as the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) for 15th MEU, Regimental Combat Team 8, and 2d MAW. During these assignments, he deployed to Kenya, Okinawa, Kuwait, Jordan, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Colonel Danielson completed two assignments at Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps. As a company grade officer he served in the Office of Legislative Affairs as Deputy Director, Senate Liaison Office. In addition to assisting with Senate engagement strategy, his duties included planning and executing Senate delegation travel to over 20 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Later, as a field grade officer he served as the Branch Head, International & Operational Law Branch within Judge Advocate Division. During this assignment he served as lead action officer for the CMC-directed revision of Legal Support doctrine, authorities and organization.
From 2012-2014, Col Danielson completed an assignment in the joint force with U.S. Special Operations Command, where his duties included Chief of Operational Law and Strategy and legal advisor for J-33 Current Operations.
Col Danielson’s previous command assignment was from 2014-2016, as the Commanding Officer, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at MCRD Parris Island. Col Danielson assumed command of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico on 12 June 2019.
Colonel Danielson’s military education includes Amphibious Warfare School in 2002 (non-resident), a congressional fellowship in the Office of U. S. Senator Jack Reed from 2001-2002, Marine Corps Command & Staff College from 2006-2007 (Masters in Military Studies), SEP-Law at Georgetown University from 2009-2010 (Masters of Law with a concentration in International & National Security Law), and National War College from 2016-2017 (Masters in National Security Strategy).