Major Penney was born in Sacramento, California. He graduated from UCLA in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree while double-majoring in Political Science and History. He attended Officer Candidates School in 2015. He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in November of 2015 and graduated from The Basic School in 2016 and Communications Officer's Course in 2017. In June 2017 he reported to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
From June of 2017 to July of 2018, he served as the Radio Platoon Commander for Communications Company, 1st Marine Division and promoted to 1st Lieutenant in November of 2017. In July 2018 he reported to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment where he served as the Battalion Communications Officer. From April to October of 2019, he deployed with the Battalion to Darwin, Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin. In January of 2020, he was promoted to Captain and deployed with the Battalion again from February to April of 2020 to the United Arab Emirates in support of Exercise Native Fury.
In June of 2020, he reported to Recruiting Station Twin Cities where he would serve as the RS Operations Officer from 2020 to 2023.
In July 2023, he reported to Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. He was promoted to Major in January of 2025 and would serve as the Communications Company Operations Officer until May 2025. In May 2025, Major Penney reported to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division where he would serve as the G-6 Operations Officer until May 2026. From February to March 2026, Major Penney deployed with the Division Headquarters to Korea for Exercise Freedom Shield and again in April 2026 to the Republic of the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan.
In May 2026, Major Penney was assigned to his current billet and will assume his role as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Richmond during today's ceremony.
Major Penney's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
Major Penney is a member of the All-Marine Rugby Team.