Ken served close to 29 years from 1983-2012 in the U. S. Marine Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant Major. He earned his eligibility serving in the Persian Gulf/Desert Shield/Storm (post), Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. 

He has served at the Post, District, Department, and National levels in various leadership positions, including State Membership Chairman for two consecutive years, and was awarded the Department of Indiana VFW Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award in 2023. Ken was a Certified VFW National Recruiter from 2023-26, has served on three VFW National Convention Committees, and he is both an All-American Post and District Commander. He was elected State Sr. Vice Commander during the June 2026 VFW Indiana State Convention.

Ken maintains his Gold Legacy Life Membership with the Carmel "Delbert L. Waugh” Post 10003. He is also a Centennial Life Member of the VFW National Home, Life Member of both the Disabled American Veterans and Military Order of the Cootie, and a member of the American Legion.

He is married to Krystyn (Marine Veteran and Aux Life Member) and has a son, Otto (Naval Officer and VFW Life Member).