Lieutenant Colonel Nakonieczny attended the University of California at Davis and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He was commissioned in 1997 as an infantry officer and served as a Platoon Commander in Company C, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Upon completion of his deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Weapons Company.
In July of 2001, Captain Nakonieczny reported to Company H, Marine Security Guard Battalion in Frankfurt, Germany. In this capacity he served as the Operations Officer and subsequently as the Executive Officer of Company H (Central Europe).
In November of 2004, Captain Nakonieczny assumed command of Company A, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. In this capacity, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II-2 and 05-07.
Major Nakonieczny served as the Commanding Officer of Light Armored Vehicle Training Company from 2006 to 2009. While commanding LAVTC, he oversaw the re-writing of Marine Corps Warfighting Publications 3-14 and 3-14.1 and the curriculum development of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Master Gunner Course.
From 2010 to 2012 Major Nakonieczny served as the Executive Officer of First Battalion, First Marines and deployed with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon his return, he was assigned as the Director of the First Marine Division Schools.
From 2012 to 2015 Lieutenant Colonel Nakonieczny served in various billets as a member of J3 Afghanistan, United States Special Operations Command. Ultimately serving as the Deputy Director, he assisted in planning, coordinating, and shaping Special Operations policy on Afghanistan operations with CENTCOM, ISAF, Joint Staff, NATO, and Special Operations Component Commands.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of third award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (with valor device and Gold Star in lieu of second award), Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Lieutenant Colonel Nakonieczny graduated with honors from The Basic School and the U.S. Army Armor Captains Career Course. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.