Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap was born an Army brat in Fort Bragg, NC.  He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and commissioned in 2005. He completed The Basic School and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in 2005-2006. 

In June 2006, Second Lieutenant Dunlap reported to 3d Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment before being assigned directly to 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment as a Forward Observer, Fire Support Team Leader, and Weapons Platoon Commander.  He deployed in January 2007 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  After returning, First Lieutenant Dunlap deployed in November 2007 to Iraq for a year as the Operations and Fires/Effects Advisor for a Military Transition Team.  In January 2009, he attended Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Assessment and Selection.

In May 2009, First Lieutenant Dunlap reported to the Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, and subsequently completed the Marine Special Operations School (MSOS) Individual Training Course.  In February 2010, Captain Dunlap reported to 3d Marine Special Operations Battalion (MSOB).  Captain Dunlap deployed to Afghanistan in June 2010, serving with Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan.  He deployed to Afghanistan again in January 2012 as a Team Leader for a Marine Special Operations Team attached to Marine Special Operations Company (MSOC) Hotel, 2d MSOB. Following this deployment, Captain Dunlap returned to 3d MSOB and served as the MSOC Lima Executive Officer and 3d MSOB Headquarters and Service Company Commander. 

In July 2014, Captain Dunlap reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School.  He returned to the MSOS in June 2015 to serve as a Marine Special Operations Training Company Commander.  In May 2016, Major Dunlap assumed command of MSOC Kilo, 3d Marine Raider Battalion.  In September 2017, Major Dunlap and MSOC Kilo deployed in support of Special Operations Command Africa. 

In July 2018, Major Dunlap reported to the College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College.  In July 2019, Major Dunlap reported to the Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) J-3.  In December 2019, he deployed to Iraq, serving with Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.  Following this deployment, Major Dunlap returned to SOCCENT.  In July 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap reported to the MARSOC G-3. In June 2023, he executed orders to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Bangor, WA.