Chief Warrant Officer Four Nolan enlisted in the United States Army in January 1989, serving as a Light-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic at Fort Ord, California, Frankfurt, Germany and Fort Campbell, Kentucky and ultimately achieving the rank of Sergeant. In November 1994, he transitioned to the Illinois Army National Guard, where he received appointment as a Warrant Officer in August 1998 as an Automotive Maintenance Warrant with the 244th Transportation Company. In May 2002, he transferred to the Wisconsin Army National Guard serving as an Automotive Maintenance Warrant with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Brigade and Service Battery 1st Battalion 126th Field Artillery Regiment. In February 2005, he transitioned to the Indiana Army National Guard serving in various assignments as an Automotive Maintenance Warrant and Supply Systems Technician with Company B, 38th Support Battalion, Maneuver Training Center, 138th Quartermaster Company, 81st Troop Command, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 38th Sustainment Brigade and Indiana Army National Guard Training Center. In August 2016, he transferred to the Florida Army National Guard, serving in various assignments as an Armament Systems Maintenance Warrant, Automotive Maintenance Warrant and Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant with 779th Engineer Battalion, 631st Maintenance Company, 927th Corps Support Battalion and back to the 631st Maintenance Company where he serves today. He has served on three military operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Freedom's Sentinel. He has also served on one civilian operational deployment as part of the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce in support of the United States Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command mission in Afghanistan.

Chief Warrant Officer Four Nolan's civilian education includes a Technical Certification in Automotive Technology from Wyoming Technical Institute, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Lakeland College and a Master's Degree in Business Management from Oakland City University. His military education includes Warrant Officer Advanced, Intermediate and Senior Service courses along with multiple technical training courses. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Air Assault Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicle Clasp and Mechanic Clasp.