Colonel Wendling was born in Dearborn, Michigan on 11 July 1964 and graduated from UMS High School in Mobile, Alabama May of 1982. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Alabama in June of 1988 and began his Marine Corps career in October 1989, earning a commission via the Officers Commissioning Course on 7 December 1989.
After completion of The Basic School in August of 1990, he was assigned to the Officer Selection Office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for temporary duty while waiting orders to flight school. In January of 1991, Colonel Wendling received orders to Marine Air Training Support Group in Pensacola, Florida for flight training. Upon completion of primary flight training in VT-6 and advance helicopter flight training in HT-18, he received designation as a Naval Aviator on 19 June 1992. In August of 1992 Colonel Wendling reported to HMT-302 in Tustin, California for Fleet Replacement Squadron training in the CH-53E helicopter. Upon completion and designation as a Helicopter Second Pilot, he reported to HMH-464 at MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina for his first fleet assignment.
Joining HMH-464 in March 1993, he served in the maintenance and operations departments as Flight Line Officer, Schedule Writer, Pilot Training Officer, Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Future Operations Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. He completed two Mediterranean deployments with the 26th MEU (SOC) Air Combat Element, HMM-365, aboard the USS Guam in 1995 and the USS Nassau in 1997. During these deployments he participated in Operations Silver Wake, Guardian Retrieval, Joint Endeavor, Provide Promise, and Deny Flight.
In June of 1997 Colonel Wendling was transferred to HT-18, NAS Whiting Field, Florida where he served as a Standardization, Familiarization and Instrument Instructor Pilot. His billet assignments included Operations Officer, Flight Operations Officer, Flight Leader, and Officer in Charge of Logs and Records.
Following HT-18, Colonel Wendling transferred back to MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina in June of 2000 and served as the Executive Officer, Operations Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer while assigned to HMH-464. Additionally, during this time he served as the Squadron Operations Officer and Detachment Officer in Charge while forward deployed aboard amphibious shipping and ashore in FOB Jalibah Iraq while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom in June of 2003, he was assigned as the Air Officer and Forward Air Controller with 4th MEB (AT) at Camp LeJeune, North, Carolina.
In June of 2004, Colonel Wendling was selected and attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama earning a Masters Degree in Military Operational Art and Science. Upon selection for advanced PME he completed another year of academics at Maxwell Air Force Base attending the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, earning a second Masters degree in Air Power Art and Science.
Following graduation from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies in June of 2006, Colonel Wendling reported to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aircraft Group 24 located at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay and served as the Group Operations Officer prior to assuming command of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 on 17 November 2006.
While in command Colonel Wendling deployed his squadron to Okinawa under the Unit Deployment Program. During this deployment the squadron participated in Theatre Security Cooperation efforts through training and exercise participation in Okinawa, mainland Japan, and Korea.
Upon return from Unit Deployment, Colonel Wendling relinquished command on 08 August 2008 and transferred to Camp Smith, Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Assistant Chief of Staff Plans and Policy. During this time he served as a MAGTF Planner and Chief of War Plans Division.
In June of 2009, Colonel Wendling was selected and attended the Naval War College at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island earning a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Upon graduation he transferred to Seoul Korea, Yongsan Army Garrison for service as the U/C/J-33, Chief of Current Operations United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea Command.
Following his joint tour, Colonel Wendling transferred to Maxwell AFB serving on the Air War College Faculty as a Seminar Director and Leadership and Warfighting instructor.