LtCol Spaeder was born in Philadelphia, PA and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics in 2006. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in December 2006 and completed the Logistics Officer Course in October 2007.
2ndLt Spaeder reported to Truck Company, 1st Marine Division, where he served as a Platoon Command and Company Executive Officer. In August 2008, he attached to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in support of Op IRAQI FREEDOM as the Battalion Motor Transport Officer. After deployment, 1stLt Spaeder attached to I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and served as the Assistant Logistics Plans Officer in the G-4. In March 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Op ENDURING FREEDOM in the Regional Command (Southwest) C-4.
In February 2011, Capt Spaeder transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, Marine Forces Reserve and served at the Officer-in-Charge of the Squadron Headquarters until June 2014.
Capt Spaeder transferred from MWSS-472 to Combat Logistics Regiment 2 in June 2014 and immediately deployed to the Republic of Liberia in support of Op ONWARD LIBERTY in July 2014. He served as a Logistics Advisor to the Armed Forces of Liberia’s Logistics Command, where he mentored and assisted the Liberian response to the ebola viral disease pandemic. In February 2015, Capt Spaeder took command of Motor Transport Company A, 2d Transportation Support Battalion. In June 2016, he transferred command of MT Company A and assumed the duties of the Battalion Operations Officer.
From July 2017 to June 2018, Maj Spaeder attended the School of Advanced Warfighting. From July 2018 to July 2021, he served as a planner at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab/Future Directorate, where he developed combat scenarios that enabled Force Design 2030. From July 2021 to June 2022, he served as the Deputy Operations Officer in the LCE Integration Division at Capability Development Directorate, where he led the Force Design 2030 implementation cell and focused on logistics experimentation, the Advanced Base concept, operational logistics, littoral maneuver, LCE modernization, and logistics manpower and MOS modernization. From June 2022 to May 2023, he served as a MAGTF Logistics Instructor at the MAGTF Staff Training Program.
LtCol Spaeder’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He has won four writing awards from the Marine Corps Association and has been published in War on the Rocks and the Marine Corps Gazette. He has master's degrees from Villanova University, Marine Corps University, and the Naval Postgraduate School.