CDR Spinler joined the Navy in 1986 as a Machinist Mate. He was accepted into the United States Naval Academy as a Third Class Petty Officer during Nuclear Power School. Graduating with Merit as a Systems Engineer in 1991, he joined Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 in Gulfport, MS. He served as the Engineering Officer at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and Det OIC of Pohang, Korea where his detachment built the dining facility for the small American base that supported training with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines.
In his next assignment, CDR Spinler worked as the Assistant Resident Officer In Charge of Construction (AROICC) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. He successfully managed over $45M in construction activities, completing repairs to critical dry docks and buildings, environmental remediation, and construction of the Marvin G. Shields Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, as well as other buildings.
Leaving active duty in 1996, CDR Spinler relocated to Houston, TX where he managed over 100 personnel as Det OIC for NMCB 28. In 1998, he became the Charlie Company Commander responsible for five detachments over three states completing two successful Field Exercises, three mini-FEXs, and a number of small projects. After his selection for promotion to LCDR, he left the Navy to pursue a civilian career and began graduate school at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In his civilian career, he has worked in various levels of project management and operations at the Johnson Space Center, a biotechnology company that made DNA, a manufacture in the oil industry, and an Engineering Management Consulting.
After receiving his Masters Degree in Engineering Management in 2004 and the start of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, CDR Spinler re-affiliated with the Naval Construction Force and the Civil Engineer Corps. After a year as the Assistant Regimental Operations Officer (R3A) for the 9th Naval Construction Regiment, he joined 500 personnel in NMCB 22 for mobilization as the Operations Officer (S3). While supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Twenty-Two successfully completed numerous airfield repairs, combat outpost camp construction, bridge repairs, and maintenance projects along with operating two Convoy Security Teams. Returning in 2005 with all personnel, they continued another successful year of training and reached blue readiness status within the year.
CDR Spinler was formerly with NAVFAC Contingency OICC as Detachment Officer-In-Charge supporting Facility Engineering Command Southeast after being the Officer-In-Charge of Amphibious Construction Battalion One Detachment 108 in Fort Worth, TX. He is qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Texas, and a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB). His personnel decorations include Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Military Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Medal, and other awards.