Major Nathan Miller is native of Lapeer, Michigan, and graduated from Lapeer West High School in 1991 as salutatorian of his class while competing in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He attended the United States Air Force Academy where he lettered in football and baseball and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1995.

Nate was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant through an inter-service transfer and reported to Quantico, Virginia, for The Basic School in June. He reported for aviation indoctrination at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida in March 1996. Nate completed primary flight training in the T-34C Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk, and was awarded Top Hook for carrier landing performance. He received his wings of gold in January 1999.

In March, Nate reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) in NAS Lemoore, California, for training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In March, 2000, he transferred to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, where he joined VMFA-323, the "Death Rattlers." Nate deployed twice aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) in March 2001 and in November 2002, flying combat missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. While with VMFA-323, he served as the Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) officer, safety officer, aviation life support systems officer, powerline division officer and administrative officer.

Nate transferred overseas to Okinawa, Japan, in August 2003 to serve as the assistant air officer for the 31^st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). While there, he completed two three-month deployments aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) while planning and participating in international exercises with the Filipino, South Korean, Thai and Australian Marine, Naval and Air Forces.

In September 2004, Nate returned to MCAS Miramar, and reported to the VMFAT-101 "Sharp Shooters" as an F/A-18 instructor pilot. During his tour, he was named as an Instructor Pilot of the Quarter and served as the adjutant and line division officer.