Colonel Buck was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Concordia University, Chicago, Illinois, in 1987, was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) in May of 1987, and designated a Naval Aviator in July 1989.
He completed CH-46E training at Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin, California, in 1989 and reported to the “Ridgerunners” of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 where he served as the Ground Safety Officer and Flight Line Officer. During this period, he completed two WestPac deployments with the 11th and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) including operations in the Arabian Gulf, Philippines, and Somalia.
In August of 1994, he reported to Quantico, Virginia where he attended the Amphibious Warfare School. Following school, he was assigned to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, where he served as Land Navigation Instructor, Staff Platoon Commander Company B 2-96, Executive Officer Company F 6-96, The Basic School Assistant Operations Officer, and Commanding Officer Company B 2-98.
Following refresher training in the CH-46E, he returned to the Fleet Marine Force in October of 1998 and served as Commanding Officer, Personnel Support Detachment 36, MAG 36, Okinawa, Japan. In December of 1999, he joined the “Dragons” of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 where he served as the S-1 Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During this period, the squadron served as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) to the 31st MEU and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) East Timor.
Following selection to Intermediate Level School, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, where he completed requirements for a Masters in Military Studies. In June of 2002, he reported to the Pentagon, where he served as Aide de Camp to the Chief of Naval Operations until August of 2004. Upon notification of his selection for command, he reported to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and served as Commanding Officer Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) from January 2005 to February 2007. Following command, he attended the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he completed requirements for a Masters in Strategic Studies.
Following graduation from Top Level School, he reported to United States Northern Command, where he served as Executive Officer for the Joint Training and Exercise Directorate and Deputy Executive Officer to the Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. Following his Joint assignment, he reported to II Marine Expeditionary Force, G-3 as Force Effects Coordinator for II MEF(FWD) /Regional Command Southwest in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and II MEF Current Operations Officer. He served as Chief of Staff, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing from January 2013 until assuming Command of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina in February 2014.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (One Gold Star), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Three Gold Stars), Air Medal (Numeral “1”), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.