Colonel Wendler is a native of San Francisco. Following the footsteps of his brother and father, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant after graduating from the University of California, Davis, in 1998.
After completing The Basic School and MOS school, he was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st FSSG, as the Maintenance Management Officer and Motor Transport Officer.
Upon promotion to First Lieutenant, he was assigned as the S-4A and Embark Officer for MEU Service Support Group 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and as the Team Embarkation Officer for USS DUBUQUE (LPD-8). 1stLt Wendler was in Darwin, Australia, for training during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He served as the logistics officer for the invasion of conventional forces in Afghanistan as part of the 15th MEU and Task Force 58.
Upon return to CONUS, he was promoted to Captain and assigned as the Supply Officer for Transportation Support Group. In 2003, he participated in the invasion of Iraq as part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
In 2004, Captain Wendler transitioned to the Reserves and served as an action officer for Marine For Life and the Wounded Warrior Regiment, in charge of the Los Angeles area, where he assisted wounded Marines and active duty Marines transitioning to the civilian world.
Promoted to Major, Major Wendler then served as the Company Commander, BTO Company A, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, located in San Jose, California.
After three and a half years as Company Commander, Major Wendler became the Battalion Executive Officer of 4th Landing Support Battalion and the newly formed Combat Logistics Battalion 23, Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group.
After two and a half years as Battalion Executive Officer, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and, in October 2015, assumed command of Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group.
After almost two and a half years as Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Wendler transferred to the 4th MLG staff to lead innovation efforts. He was promoted to Colonel and served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-4 and Innovation Lead for 4th MLG. From May 2022 to May 2024, he served as the Deputy Regimental Commander/ Senior Reserve Advisor of Combat Logistics Regiment 45. In May 2024, he assumed the role of Deputy Commanding General, 4th Marine Logistics Group.
He has a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a Superior Graduate of the U.S. Army War College (DEP). He is also currently a Veteran Fellow at the Hoover Institution. In December 2007, upon passing the California bar exam, Colonel Wendler once again followed in his father's footsteps and was employed at the District Attorney's office in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco. He is currently a Superior Court Judge in San Mateo County, presiding over criminal jury trials, Preliminary Hearings and veteran treatment courts.