Lieutenant Colonel Rankin attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated with degrees in Finance and Philosophy in May 1994.
After commissioning under the NROTC program, Second Lieutenant Rankin attended The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Virginia. Upon reporting to 1st Marine Division in 1994, he joined 1st Battalion, 4th Marines as a platoon commander. He deployed with Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the Western Pacific and Central Command regions.
In July 1997, First Lieutenant Rankin reported to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. and served as a platoon commander, parade commander, and Marine Corps Institute program manager. Following his tour at the Marine Barracks, Captain Rankin attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico.
After graduating Amphibious Warfare School in June 2001, Captain Rankin reported to 31st MEU in Okinawa, Japan for duty as the Assistant Operations Officer. With 31st MEU, he deployed throughout the Western Pacific region. In July 2002, Captain Rankin joined 1st Battalion, 1st Marines as a company commander. He later deployed with Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th MEU to the Western Pacific and Central Command regions.
In May 2004, Captain Rankin joined 2d Battalion, 24th Marines as a company commander and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Following deployment, Major Rankin served as the Inspector-Instructor and company commander for Company E, 2d Battalion, 24th Marines in Des Moines, Iowa.
Major Rankin joined 1st Battalion, 8th Marines in July 2007 as the Operations Officer and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Afterwards, Major Rankin served as the Executive Officer of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines for another deployment to Iraq in 2009.
In November 2009, Major Rankin reported to the Plans, Policies, and Operations Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) for duty as an action officer in the Operational Readiness Branch. Lieutenant Colonel Rankin was promoted to his current rank on 1 August 2010 and served at HQMC until July 2012.
Lieutenant Colonel Rankin transferred to 13th MEU in July 2012 for duty as the Operations Officer and seven months later joined 1st Marine Division as the G-3 Plans Officer. From May to September 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Rankin deployed to Afghanistan as the Executive Officer for Regimental Combat Team 7. Upon returning, he resumed service as the G-3 Plans Officer.
His personal awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.