Sergeant Major Kelly was born in Dallas, Texas, and later moved to Danville, Iowa where he graduated from Danville High School in 2002. He joined the Marine Corps in June 2001 and shipped to San Diego, CA for recruit training with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, on 25 June 2002. Sergeant Major Kelly graduated recruit training in September as a Private. He transferred to the School of Infantry-West in Camp Pendleton, CA and graduated in December 2002, as a 0311, and was promoted to the rank of Private First Class. He then attended Light Armored Vehicle Crewman Course and graduated in February 2003, earning the MOS 0313. Sergeant Major Kelly received orders to Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 29 Palms, CA, as a driver. In February 2003, he deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After a month in Kuwait, he crossed into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. When he returned home in June 2003, he began a pre-deployment workup for a second deployment to Iraq and was promoted to Lance Corporal. In August 2004, Sergeant Major Kelly deployed to Iraq, Al-Anbar providence in support of Iraqi Freedom II. In October 2004 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
After returning home in April 2005, he began another pre-deployment workup for Iraq, and in October 2005 was promoted to Sergeant. In February 2006, Sergeant Major Kelly received orders to Recruiter School, MCRD San Diego, CA. He graduated in April 2006, and received orders to Recruiting Sub Station Quad Cities, Recruiting Station Des Moines, Iowa as a Recruiter. In February 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. After completing a successful tour on Recruiting duty in April 2009, Sergeant Major Kelly received orders to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC as a Platoon Sergeant. Sergeant Major Kelly was assigned to Company A, where he immediately began a pre-deployment workup for Afghanistan. In December 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan, Helmand providence in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning home in June 2010, Sergeant Major Kelly was reassigned to Company C, where he began another pre-deployment workup for Afghanistan.
In April 2011, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom until returning home in November 2011. In June 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In July 2013, Sergeant Major Kelly was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/6, as a Company Gunnery Sergeant where he started a pre-deployment workup for the 22d MEU. From February 2014 to October 2014, he deployed with BLT 1/6, 22d MEU, where he conducted training in various different countries before offloading in Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In December 2014, Sergeant Major Kelly received orders to the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Camp Johnson, NC as a Faculty Advisor. In February 2016, Sergeant Major Kelly was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and received orders to 1st Battalion 3d Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, HI as a Company First Sergeant. There he supported two Unit Deployment Programs to Okinawa, Japan before receiving orders in March of 2018 to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii as a Company First Sergeant. In May 2020 he received orders to Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry East, Camp Lejeune, NC as a Company First Sergeant. In June 2021 he was promoted to his current rank and assigned to Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry East as a Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Kelly's awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and one silver star in lieu of sixth award, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, and Combat Action Ribbon with gold star in lieu of second award.