Dan was born in Norfolk, Va to Patti and Dan Kirkman (Sr). One of four children, he was raised in Grants Pass, Oregon with his three sisters (Jennifer, Sarah and Kelsey). He joined the Marine Corps at the age of 19 and retired as a Captain with tours to Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan. Dan completed his education at the University of San Diego with graduate degrees in Supply Chain Management and Global Leadership. His personal hobbies include his two female Hungarian Vizslas (Colbie & Roo), health and fitness.