Lieutenant Colonel Laing was commissioned in 1997.
From 1998 to 2000 he served with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, while there he held the billets as an LAR Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and LAR Company Commander. In 1999 he deployed with Company D, the LAR detachment assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He participated in Operation JOINT GUARDIAN (Peace enforcement operations conducted in the province of Kosovo) and Operation AVID RESPONSE (Humanitarian relief operations conducted in Turkey).
From January 2001to May 2003 he was assigned to 2d Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion. While there he held billets as an Assistant FAST Plt Commander, FAST Plt Commander, and Operations Officer. In 2001 he deployed in support of 5th Fleet, U.S. Central Command and conducted maritime security operations throughout the Persian Gulf. He also deployed in support of 6th Fleet, U.S. European Command and conducted Embassy Reinforcement Operations in the U.S. Embassy Skopje, Macedonia.
In June of 2003 he attended the Expeditionary Warfare School. In June of 2004 he was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. While there he served as the H&S Company Commander, Co A Company Commander, Battalion Intelligence Officer, and Battalion Operations Officer. Between 2004 and 2007 he deployed on three separate occasions in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
From December 2007 to July 2010 he was assigned to School of Infantry West. While there he served as the Battalion Executive Officer for Marine Combat Training Battalion. Later he was re-assigned to serve as the Commanding Officer for Light Armored Vehicle Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion. In 2010 he was selected to attend Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
From June 2011 to July 2013 he was assigned to 3d Battalion, 8th Marines where he served as the Battalion Executive Officer. In 2012 he deployed with V38 to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In 2013 he was re-assigned to serve as the Regimental Operations Officer for 8th Marine Regiment.
In October 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Laing was promoted to his present rank. From January 2014 to August 2014, he deployed as the Operations Officer for Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa. During the deployment he participated in Operation OAKEN LOTUS and conducted the military assisted departure of U.S. Personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya.