Lieutenant Colonel VerPlanck graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in 2003.  During college he completed the Platoon Leadership Course and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2004. 

As an Air Support Control Officer, his first assignment was to Marine Air Support Squadron 2 (MASS-2) where he deployed throughout the Pacific for exercises in South Korea, Australia, and Alaska while earning qualifications as a Helicopter Director, Tactical Air Director and Senior Air Director culminating in graduation from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Yuma, AZ in 2007.

As a Major he was assigned to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38 (MTACS-38) where he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer. 

Lieutenant Colonel VerPlanck has deployed in support of operation ENDURING FREEDOM on two occasions.  The first was in support of the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan / Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan National Army (ANA) in 2012.  The second was as a Senior Air Coordinator in the Tactical Air Command Center in 2014.     

Duties in the supporting establishment have included tours at HQMC Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) as the USMC Tactical Radio Action Officer, Combat Development and Integration (CD&I) as the Capabilities Integration Officer for Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD), and the Naval War College as the Game Director for the Trans-Atlantic Maritime Command and Control War Game.

Lieutenant Colonel VerPlanck is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School.  His personnel decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.