Mark retired from Navy with nearly 25 years of service in special operations and military medicine. During that time he served as Reconnaissance Marine, a Hospital Corpsman, a Navy SEAL and a Physician Assistant. Following retirement Mark has focused his efforts on issues supporting America's veterans and their families while he completed his memoir, Battle Ready, Memoir of a SEAL Warrior Medic, in which he openly discusses his personal battles with the lingering effects of combat.
Mark departed the service on 1 January 2010 as one of the highest decorated Afghanistan and Iraqi war veterans and the most decorated Medical Service Corps officer in the history of the United States Navy. His personal awards include the Navy Cross, the highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the nations second highest award for valor, second only to the Medal of Honor. He is also a recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Honduran Medal of Merit and various other personal decorations and campaign medals. Currently Mark serves as the Executive Director for NSWKIDS a non-profit supporting the children of the special operations community and volunteers Director of the Member Life Assistance Program for the UDT-SEAL Association.