Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman entered the Marine Corps in 1998. After completing the School of Infantry, he served with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines until 2002. He deployed twice during this tour, once to Panama in the summer of 1999 as a security team leader and again in 2001 with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a Scout Sniper.
In 2005 Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. After completing The Basic School and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, he reported to Battery C, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 2007 he deployed as a Convoy Security Team Leader in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Upon his return, he served as the Fire Directions Officer and Executive Officer. In 2009 he moved to the Executive Officer position in Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines where he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in a provisional infantry role.
In 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman promoted to Captain and reported to 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. From 2010 to 2013, he held the positions of Firepower Control Team Leader, Assistant Operations Officer, and Brigade Platoon Commander. He deployed again to Afghanistan as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller in support of Operational Detachment Alpha, 3rd Special Forces Group rotations.
Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman returned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment in 2014 and was assigned the billet of Fire Support Officer for Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. In this capacity he deployed for a second time with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon his return in 2015, he commanded Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment.
In 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was promoted to Major and once again reported to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, this time as the Command Element Fire Support Officer. He deployed for a third time with the unit in 2017 and had the additional duties of lead planner for multiple Theater Security Cooperation Exercises.
Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman received orders to 3rd Battalion 12th Marine Regiment Okinawa, Japan in 2019. During this tour he served as the Battalion Logistics Officer and Battalion Executive Officer. In 2022 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and moved to the role of Regimental Logistics Officer. That same year he was reassigned to 14th Marine Regiment to serve as the Regimental Operations Officer.
In June 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman assumed duties as Inspector-Instructor, 3d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, in Bell, California.
Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a BS in Sociology from Iowa State University. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.