After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Kurt Niemann attained a master's degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University. In the past, he has worked as a charter pilot, a flight instructor, and as a probation officer. He was named "Detention Officer of the Year" by Maricopa County, Arizona and by the State of Arizona. A martial arts enthusiast, he studies Kenpo, Kung Fu and Tai Chi and is currently a sixth level master instructor in Tai Chi. He and his wife have five children and live in rural central Arizona.