During his 32 plus year active duty career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Colonel Coates served as an infantry Officer in various infantry, reconnaissance and Force Reconnaissance, Special Operations units to include as Commanding Officer of 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and Commanding Officer of U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One. He additionally participated in multiply combat tours in El Salvador and Iraq as well as with tours with other government agencies.
Colonel Coates’ personal decorations include: Legion of Merit with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Gold Stars in lieu of 4th award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star.
In 2016, Colonel Coates was inducted in the United States Special Operations Command’s Commando Hall of Honor