Lieutenant Colonel Cain enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 2000 and attended basic training at MCRD, San Diego. Following graduation from Marine Combat Training and Basic Landing Support School, he was assigned to 2d Transportation Support Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group, Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as a Landing Support Specialist, section leader, and squad leader. From February to September 2002, he deployed with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit, and from December 2002 to November 2003, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF-I). Following his enlistment, he attended Ball State University and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November 2008. He reported to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, VA, in May 2009, subsequently attending the Field Artillery Officer’s Basic Course, Marine Artillery Officer Basic Course, and Joint Fires Observer (JFO) Course at Fort Sill, OK.
In July 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Cain reported for duty with 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as a platoon commander and Fire Direction Officer for Battery T. From February to September 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. Upon redeploying, he served as the Executive Officer for Battery T until the battalion’s deactivation in June 2012. In July 2012, he deployed with the Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF), Africa Partnership Station - 12 (APS-12) aboard the USS Fort McHenry as the Executive Officer for the Ground Combat Element. In November 2012, he was selected to attend the U.S. Army’s Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course (FA-CCC) at Fort Sill.
Following graduation from FA-CCC in November 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Cain reported for duty as a Fire Support Instructor with the Marine Corps Artillery Detachment. In this role, he instructed Marine Corps and U.S. Army Lieutenants in fire support and joint fires observer curricula. From January to August 2016, he served as the Battery Commander for the Marine Training Battery at Fort Sill.
In September 2016, he reported to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA, serving as the Assistant Battalion Logistics Officer and subsequently the Battalion Logistics Officer. In August 2017, he took command of Battery T, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan, under the Unit Deployment Program. After returning to Camp Pendleton in May 2018, he was promoted and took command of Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment. In July 2019, he reported to the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (TTECG) in Twentynine Palms, CA, where he served as an exercise controller “Coyote” and fire support lead for service-level training exercises. Following this tour, he was selected to attend resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, VA.
In June 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Cain reported for duty with 11th Marines as the Battalion Operations Officer for 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, where he planned and participated in numerous field exercises, including Service Level Training Exercise 2-24. He then served as the Regimental Logistics Officer for 11th Marine Regiment. In June 2025, he joined 3d Marine Division as the Fires and Effects Coordinator. In June 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Cain reported to 2d Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment,
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.