Lieutenant Colonel Cordes is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1998, serving as an I-Level Aviation Electronics Technician for F-14, F/A-18 and E-2 aircraft components, making two combat deployments aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) from Sep 2001-Apr 2022 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF), and from Jan-May 2003 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF).
He was promoted to First Class Petty Officer in May 2005, and was approved for a conditional release from his enlisted contract to attend US Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) in December of the same year.
Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to US Marine Corps OCS in January 2006 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 31 March 2006. Upon graduation from The Basic School in October 2006, he reported to NAS Pensacola, FL to begin Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training, attending Aviation Maintenance Officer (AMO) School at NAS Whiting Field, FL while awaiting a class seat. Following completion of NFO training in July 2008 he reported to VAQ-129 at NAS Whidbey Island, WA, for initial training in the EA-6B Prowler.
In June 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to VMAQ-4 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. During this tour, he served as the S-1 Officer In Charge, Aviation Safety Officer (ASO), and Director of Safety and Standardization (DoSS). He completed a combat deployment to Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan from Apr-Nov 2011 in support of OEF. During this deployment, he also participated in a personnel exchange with US Navy EA-6B Squadron VAQ-139, embarked on USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76), conducting carrier-based, day and night combat sorties. He completed a Unit Deployment to MCAS Iwakuni from Feb-Aug 2013 serving as the DoSS, Assistant NATOPS Instructor and Night Systems Instructor (NSI).
In September 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to VMAQT-1 at MCAS Cherry Point as one of the first Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructors in the newly designated all-USMC Prowler FRS. While assigned to VMAQT-1, he served as a Staff Instructor, NATOPS instructor, NITE Lab Instructor, NSI, Night Systems Phase Head, Daily and Weekly Scheduler and Avionics Officer. During this tour, VMAQT-1 trained the last generations of EA-6B aviators, casing their colors in June 2016. He was the USMC’s FY-16 selection for NFO transition to Naval Aviator.
In June 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to MATSG-22 at NAS Corpus Christi, TX to begin transition training to Naval Aviator. He was designated a Naval Aviator in July 2017, receiving orders to the KC-130J Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD) at MCAS Cherry Point with follow-on assignment to VMGR-252, also at MCAS Cherry Point.
In February 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to VMGR-252. During this tour he served as the Crewmaster Division Officer In Charge, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He deployed to Morón Airbase, Spain from Sep 2019-Jun 2020 in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa 20.1 (SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1).
In June 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan where he served as the Installation Operations Officer, Executive Officer and UC-12W NATOPS Instructor.
In June 2024 Lieutenant Colonel Cordes reported to Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) for command of VMGR-153
Lieutenant Colonel Cordes has accumulated more than 3500 flight hours in various Type/Model/Series aircraft. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Defense Cooperation Award Third Class. He and his wife, Amy have three daughters.