Lieutenant Colonel Upton enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 22, 1992.  Upon completion of recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC, Lieutenant Colonel Upton attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC.  Following MCT, Lieutenant Colonel Upton reported to the Basic Armor Crewman Course, Fort Knox, KY and was assigned the MOS of 1812 (Tank Crewman). As an Enlisted Armor Crewman, he served as a Section Leader, Tank Platoon Sergeant for the 24th MEU, Company Master Gunner and instructor at the Armor Crewman Course aboard Fort Knox. He participated in Operation Vigilant Warrior (Iraq-Kuwait border) and Operation Dynamic Mix (Greece). He also served as the Tank Platoon Sergeant deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Landing Force Sixth Fleet.  Upon return from deployment Lieutenant Colonel Upton was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.

Upon graduation from the University of North Florida (Summa Cum Laude), Lieutenant Colonel Upton reported to The Basic School (TBS) as a member of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company 3-06.  Upon completion of TBS, he attended the Armored Basic Officer Leaders Course (ABOLC) at Fort Knox, KY. 

After graduating on the Commandant's List from ABOLC, he reported to 2nd Tank Bn., Camp Lejeune, NC.  Lieutenant Colonel Upton immediately deployed as an Individual Augment to Regimental Combat Team 6, Camp Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Upon returning from Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Upton was assigned as the Tank Platoon Commander for the 26th MEU in support of the Global War on Terror.  Shortly after returning, Lieutenant Colonel Upton was deployed as the Company Executive Officer for Delta Company, 2nd Tank Bn. in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Upon returning to the United States in the spring of 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Upton was selected to instruct at The Basic School.  Lieutenant Colonel Upton served as a Warfighting Instructor and Package Primary for the Squad Tactics Package.  Lieutenant Colonel Upton also served as a Staff Platoon Commander for the Basic Officer Course, Echo Company, 5-11 and the Warrant Officer Basic Course India Company, 1-12 and as the Company Executive Officer for Fox Company 6-12.  He also served as a Master Instructor for the Instructor Education Program.  Upon completion of his tour at The Basic School, Lieutenant Colonel Upton attended the Expeditionary Warfare School, graduating with Distinction.

His next assignment was with 1st Tank Bn., serving as a company commander in two separate companies commanding over 600 Marines.  Lieutenant Colonel Upton is also a graduate from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.  Upon graduation from Command and Staff College, Lieutenant Colonel Upton served as the Military Aide to the Vice President of the United States. 

Upon completion of his tour at the White House, Lieutenant Colonel Upton became the Executive Officer of 2d Tank Bn. in Camp Lejeune, NC.  Following his time as the XO, he served as the Staff Secretary to the Division Commanding General.  Lieutenant Colonel Upton then served as the Deputy Director for the Expeditionary Warfare School. 

Lieutenant Colonel Upton currently serves as the Commanding Officer of Warfighting Instructor Bn., The Basic School in Quantico, Va. 

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars.