SgtMaj Gillespie was born on 12 Sept 1975 in Walla Walla, WA, and was raised in Dixie, WA. He attended school at Waitsburg High School and joined the Marine Corps in March 1994.
SgtMaj Gillespie graduated boot camp at MCRD San Diego in July of 1994 and after completing MCT he reported to Courthouse Bay, Camp Lejeune, NC to attend Basic Combat Engineer School. Following MOS school, he was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, French Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC. While assigned to 8th ESB SgtMaj Gillespie deployed to Trinidad, Tobago, Panama, Haiti and participated in Operations FAIRWINDS.
In May of 1998 SgtMaj Gillespie received orders to Okinawa Japan to serve as the Maintenance Chief for Marine Corps Base Ranges.
In May of 2001, SgtMaj Gillespie received orders to Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division on Camp Schwab. While assigned to Combat Assault Battalion he deployed to Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Korea, main land Japan and participated in exercises Cobra Gold, Ulchi Focus Lens and Landing Force CARAT.
Following his tour in Okinawa Japan, SgtMaj Gillespie reported for instructor duty at Courthouse Bay’s Combat Engineer School. SgtMaj Gillespie instructed at the Combat Engineer School’s General Engineering Department, in 2005 he transferred to the Combat Engineer Section as the SNCOIC of the Demolitions Section, teaching explosive and mechanical entry to NCOs and Marine Officers.
In July of 2007, SgtMaj Gillespie received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 to serve as the Construction Chief for the Engineer Detachment. Shortly after arriving to MWSS 272 the unit deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and he was subsequently selected for First Sergeant.
In March of 2009, SgtMaj Gillespie reported to Military Police Support Company, II Marine Headquarters Group in December of 2009 to serve as the Company First Sergeant.
In March of 2011, SgtMaj Gillespie reported to Marine Corps Administration Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to serve as the Company First Sergeant of the Engineer Equipment Instruction Company. Following his tour he was selected to attend the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
SgtMaj Gillespie reported to Fort Bliss, Texas in July of 2013 as a student attending the Army’s Sergeants Major Academy Class 64.
SgtMaj Gillespie was assigned to 2d Transportation Support Battalion as the Battalion Sergeant Major, CLR-2, Camp Lejeune NC in October of 2014 where he served until August of 2016.
SgtMaj Gillespie served as the Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, Squadron Sergeant Major aboard New River Air Station, North Carolina until September 2018.
SgtMag Gillespie is currently serving as the Marine Corp Detachment Fort Leonard Wood Sergeant Major.
SgtMaj Gillespie has attended the resident US Army Sergeant Major Academy, Engineer Chiefs Course and Small Arms Instructor School. SgtMaj Gillespie’s personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal x2, Navy Commendation Medal x4 and Navy Achievement Medal x2.