A native of Natick, Massachusetts, Colonel Nation was commissioned through the Platoon Leader's Class in May of 1995. He attended The Basic School in September and completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
   
He then reported to 11th Marine Regiment for duty with Battery K, 3/12. He served as a Forward Observer, Guns Platoon Commander, Fire Direction Officer and deployed with the 31st MEU (SOC). He was then assigned as the Assistant Fire Support Coordinator for the 5th Marine Regiment.     
 
In January of 1999, he attended the Ground Logistics Officer Course, and was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 372. His billets included Logistics Officer, Maintenance Management Officer, HQ Company Commander and Squadron Operations Officer.  
 
Colonel Nation transferred in 2001 to 1st Bn, 11th Marines, where he served as the Bn Fire Direction Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Operations Officer, Commanding Officer of Battery A, HQ Battery and Commander of Battery C. As Battery Commander, he deployed with the 13th MEU (SOC) attached to BLT 1/1 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II.  
In April of 2004, Colonel Nation assumed duties as the Inspector Instructor, Battery P, 5/14 in Spokane, WA. Twice during this tour, he oversaw the mobilization, pre-deployment training, deployment and re-deployment of the battery in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. 
 
From August 2007 to July 2010, Colonel Nation was assigned to Joint Task Force North in El Paso, Texas. He served as a Northwest Border Mission Planner where he worked closely with the U.S. Border Patrol and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
 
In July of 2010, he joined the 12th Marine Regiment in Okinawa as the Operations Officer. He deployed as the Chief of Current Operations, U.S. Forces Afghanistan and upon return to Okinawa, assumed duties as Regimental Operations Officer, and Executive Officer.
 
    Colonel Nation commanded the Inspector Instructor Staff, 3d Bn, 14th Marines in Bristol, PA from 2013-2015. From 2015-2016, he attended the US Army War College; upon graduation he was assigned to Marine Corps Forces Central Command, where he served as the G3 Future Operations Officer and the AC/S G5 until June 2019. 
 
    In July 2019, he took command of Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division in Okinawa Japan, and also served as the Commander for Camps Courtney and McTureous. From June 2021 to July 2022 assumed duties as the Division Chief of Staff.    
 
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit with gold star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Suffolk University and a Masters in National Security Studies from the US Army War College.