LtCol Shell was commissioned in the USMC in 1998 and was designated an Intelligence Officer. From 1999-2001, LtCol Shell was assigned as Intelligence Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 13 and Fighter Attack Squadron 513 in Yuma, Arizona. In 2001, he reported to U.S. European Command-Joint Analysis Center in Molesworth, England. From 2004-2005, LtCol Shell attended Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico and the MAGTF Intelligence Officer’s Course in Dam Neck, Virginia. In 2005, he was assigned to 3d Intel Battalion, where he served as a platoon commander and company commander. LtCol Shell was then assigned to the 31st MEU where he served as the Intelligence Officer. In 2008, LtCol Shell transferred to the Naval Postgraduate School and DLI. Following DLI, LtCol Shell was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Oman to complete his Foreign Area Officer in-region training. From 2012-2015, LtCol Shell was assigned to 3D MEB, where he served as the AC/S G-2. LtCol Shell’s most recent assignment was the International Affairs Program Manager at HQMC.
LtCol Shell has conducted multiple deployments, including deployments in support of operations the Balkans, Middle East, South Asia, and SE Asia.
Lieutenant Colonel Shell is a graduate of the Basic School, Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Intelligence Course; Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course; SERE School; USAF Combat Targeting School; USMC MAGTF Intelligence Officer’s Course; U.S. Army Imagery Officer Course; Expeditionary Warfare School; USMC Command and Staff College; Naval Postgraduate School; and the Defense Language Institute-Hindi Language.