Lieutenant Colonel Connor enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 and served as a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. He completed deployments with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), UNITAS 39, and the Unit Deployment Program. He also served with the battalion's rifle competition squad. In November 2000, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.
Lieutenant Colonel enlisted in the Florida Army National Guard in November 2002, was called to active duty in December 2002, and participated in the invasion of Iraq and subsequent stability operations in Baghdad from February 2003 until February 2004. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in November 2004.
Lieutenant Colonel Connor attended Officer Candidate Course and was commissioned in August 2007. Following The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in July 2008. He served as a Rifle Platoon Commander and deployed to the Nawa District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2009. He then served as a Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Commander and deployed to the Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2011. He served as the Charlie Company Commander from December 2011 until May 2012.
From May 2012 through July 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Connor served as the Inspector-Instructor, Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines. He was the 4th Marine Division's nominee for the Leftwich Award in 2014. He attended Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) from August 2015 through May 2016.
Lieutenant Colonel Connor reported to 2d Battalion, 5th Marines in May 2016. He served as the company commander for Company F (small boat company) and deployed with the 31st MEU from November 2016 through May 2017. He served as the Battalion Operations Officer and again deployed with the 31st MEU in 2018. Following redeployment, he served as the Battalion Executive Officer from November 2018 through June 2019.
Following graduation from Marine Corps Command and Staff College in June 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Connor was assigned to the faculty of EWS. From 2020 through 2024, he served as a Faculty Advisor, Course Director, Director of Curriculum Development, and Chief Instructor. In August 2024, he reported to the 2d Marine Division and is currently slated as the Commanding Officer of 3d Battalion, 2d Marines.
Lieutenant Colonel Connor holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University, a Master of Art in Military Studies with a concentration in Strategic Leadership from American Military University, and a Master of Science in Military Studies from the Marine Corps University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Navy Commendation Medal with valor device and gold star, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Army Combat Infantryman's Badge.