Lieutenant Colonel Schnakenberg is a graduate of Iowa State University, and he received his commission in August of 1998 after completing Officer Candidate School. He received his law degree from Drake University School of Law in May of 2001.
Following The Basic School and Naval Justice School, he was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG), Twentynine Palms, CA. From November of 2002 to July of 2005, he served as Trial Counsel, Defense Counsel, and Legal Assistance Attorney. He also deployed with the Legal Service Support Section, 1st FSSG in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I.
He then transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego where he was as a Series Commander and a Company Commander at Third Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, from August of 2005 to September of 2007. He was then assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, MCRD, San Diego and served as Senior Defense Counsel until August of 2008.
His next assignment was at the Joint Law Center, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar where he was the Civil Law Officer and Station Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for two years.
In August of 2010, he attended the 59th Graduate Course at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) in Charlottesville, Virginia and graduated in May of 2011.
In June of 2011, he transferred to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit where he served as the Staff Judge Advocate and Executive Officer. During this tour, he completed Western Pacific Deployment 12-2 from September of 2012 to May of 2013.
His next assignment was at 2nd Marine Logistics Group where he served as the Staff Judge Advocate from July of 2014 to May of 2017.
Lieutenant Colonel Schnakenberg was promoted to his present rank in September of 2015. He holds a B.S. in Sociology from Iowa State University (Honor Graduate), a J.D. from Drake University School of Law, and an L.L.M. from TJAGLCS specializing in International and Operational Law.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.