Austin C. Murnane received his commission as a Marine officer from the United States Naval Academy in May 2006, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in History and a Minor in Mandarin Chinese.

In June 2006, then-Lieutenant Murnane reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, where he completed the Basic Officer Course, Martial Arts Instructor Course, and Infantry Officer Course. In July 2007, he joined 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion in Twentynine Palms, California, where he held the following billets: LAR Platoon Commander (3d Platoon, Company C), LAR Platoon Commander (Jump Command Post/Personal Security Detail, Headquarters & Service Company), and Assistant Operations Officer. In September 2007, he deployed to Anbar Province, Iraq, as a platoon commander in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In March 2009, he deployed to Nineveh Province, Iraq, as a platoon commander in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In October 2010, he deployed as the Battalion’s Assistant Operations Officer, Special Operations Liaison Officer, and Information Management Officer in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

In November 2011, Captain Murnane entered the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) and joined 2d Battalion, 25th Marines (2/25), where he assumed the billet of Assistant Operations Officer. During this time, he graduated from the Tactical Marine Air-Ground Task Force Integration Course. In February 2014, he was promoted to the billet of Battalion Operations Officer, which he held until he assumed command of Company G, 2/25, in December 2014.

His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (Second Award), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Third Award), the NATO Medal – ISAF Afghanistan, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the SMCR Medal.

During his service in the SMCR, Captain Murnane attended Fordham University School of Law and graduated in May 2014. As a law student intern, he served in a variety of roles for the United States Courts and the United States Department of Justice. After graduation, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., Senior U.S. District Judge, Northern District of New York. He currently serves as a law clerk to the Honorable Loretta A. Preska, Chief U.S. District Judge, Southern District of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar, admitted to practice in New York State Courts as well as the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

He has published academic articles on intellectual property cyber crime as well as property rights to extraterrestrial materials. He has also published a professional military article on information management in counterinsurgency. He resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his brother, Ryan, and his dog, Kodiak.