after graduating from high school, henry attended the university of virginia on a scholarship, where he met his future wife, elizabeth adams, and was a member of the naval reserve officer training corps. he was commissioned in the united states marine corps after graduation and served five years on active duty. he was assigned to the 3rd marine air wing out of marine corps air station miramar, and he flew f-18 hornets during operation desert storm. henry mustered out of the corps with the rank of captain.