Ed is a 1966 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma University and holds masters degrees from Pepperdine University and the University of Minnesota. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1967. He has served as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia, and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. From 2004-2006 Ed served as the U.S. Military Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee at NATO headquarters in Brussels, representing the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in deliberations and actions on the Military Committee, the highest military authority of NATO. He also worked closely with military representatives of NATO and Partnership for Peace member nations to develop policy recommendations for the political authorities of the Alliance. He retired as a Lieutenant General in 2007. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf, Legion of Merit with two gold stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.