Colonel Lawrence Patrick Deccio was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Transportation Corps Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Class OC-51-RC on 30 April 1962.  His first duty assignment was as Communications Officer, HHD 144th Transportation Battalion (Terminal), Walla Walla, Washington.

His subsequent duty assignments include: Adjutant, S-1, HHD 144th Transportation Battalion (Terminal) Walla Walla, Washington; Liaison Officer, HHC 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Spokane, Washington; Platoon Leader (Anti-Tank), HHC 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Spokane, Washington; Platoon Leader (Rifle Platoon), Company C, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Walla Walla, Washington; Adjutant, S-1, HHD 41st Aviation Battalion, Tacoma, Washington; Section Leader, Company B, 41st Aviation Battalion, Tacoma, Washington; Platoon Leader, 105th Engineer Company (Combat), Walla Walla, Washington; Adjutant, S-1, HHD 41st Aviation Battalion, Tacoma,  Washington; Operations Officer, HHD 115th Transportation Group, Olympia, Washington; Asst Operations & Training Officer, HHD 116th Support Center, Olympia, Washington; Asst Operations & Training Officer, HHD Washington Army National Guard, Tacoma, Washington; Battalion S-3, HHD 248th Transportation Battalion (Motor Transport) Aberdeen, Washington; Brigade Maintenance officer, HHD 181st Support Battalion (Mechanized), Seattle, Washington; Chief, Personnel Actions, HHD Washington Army National Guard, Tacoma, Washington; Maintenance Officer, HHD Washington Army National Guard, Tacoma, Washington; Plans, Operations & Training Officer, HHD Washington Army National Guard, Tacoma, Washington; Safety Officer, State Area Command, Washington, Tacoma, Washington; Director of Personnel & Administration, State Area Command, Washington, Tacoma, Washington; Director of Plans, Operations & Training, State Area Command, Washington, Tacoma, Washington; and Chief of Staff, State Area Command (STARC), Washington, Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington.

His military schools attended include: Infantry Officer Candidate School, Transportation Officer Orientation Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, The Army Maintenance Management System, Materiel Readiness, Transportation Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College.

His military awards include: Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (30 years); Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Service Ribbon; Washington State Good Conduct Ribbon; State Disaster Relief Ribbon; State Unit Citation Ribbon; State National Guard Service Ribbon (35 years).