Ted reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla., for aviation indoctrination in September 1995. He completed primary flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Fla., and transferred to NAS Meridian, Miss., for intermediate and advanced flight training. He received his wings of gold in February 1998.

Ted reported to Marine Corps Strike Fighter Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT 101) at MCAS Miramar, Calif., for training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In August 1999 he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA 113) where he completed a deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). While with the "Stingers," Ted served as the schedules officer, line division officer, command security manager, air-to-air training officer, and landing signals officer. His deployment included extended operations in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In December 1999, Ted transferred to VFA 122, where he served as an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet instructor pilot, schedules officer, T-34C phase head, and low altitude tactics training phase head. In January 2004, he was selected to the F/A-18 Super Hornet flight demonstration team, where he performed across the United States before three million spectators.