Lieutenant Colonel Schierling was born and raised in Salem, Oregon and attended Biola University, where he studied history and graduated in 2002. He subsequently attended USMC Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 2003.
Lieutenant Colonel Schierling was designated a Naval Aviator in April 2006 and earned his qualification as a CH-46E pilot in October 2006. He reported to HMM-262 in October 2006 and deployed in February 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then deployed with the squadron from 2008-2009 as the 31st MEU ACE and participated in numerous multinational exercises throughout the AOR, earning advanced flight qualifications and ultimately attending the WTI course in 2009.
Selected for the Foreign Area Officer program, Lieutenant Colonel Schierling reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in 2010, where he earned a master’s degree in National Security Studies and completed the Basic Russian Language Course at the Defense Language Institute. Lieutenant Colonel Schierling subsequently spent one year attached to the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine working with the US State Department Country Team.
In 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Schierling transitioned to the MV-22B and reported to VMM-266 where he completed two deployments in support of Special Purpose MAGTF - Crisis Response - Africa, first as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and then as the Operations Officer.
In 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Schierling was selected as the Marine Attaché to Ukraine. He completed a Ukrainian language course and attended the Joint Military Attaché School in 2018. From 2019 to 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Schierling worked with the US State Department and Ukrainian military officials to advance U.S interests on NATO’s eastern flank.
Lieutenant Colonel Schierling reported to MAG-24 in June 2022, where he was assigned as the Operations Officer. He transferred to MAG-36 in June 2024, and took command of VMM-262 on 1 May 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Schierling’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Lieutenant Colonel Schierling is married to the former Kalen Vollendorf of Pensacola, Florida. They have two boys - Xander (17 years old) and Connor (14 years old).