Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Kelly is a native of Long Island, New York. LtCol Kelly graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and was commissioned in June 2007.
After commissioning, LtCol Kelly served on active duty with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer and Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. He deployed in support of Operation - ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan) in 2009 and 2010 with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Farah and Helmand Provinces.
LtCol Kelly transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve in 2011 and was assigned to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division., Garden City, NY. He served as the 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Weapons Company Executive Officer, Battalion Fire Support Coordinator, and as the Weapons Company Commander.
In 2016, LtCol Kelly was assigned as the Operations Officer to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) - IMA detachment, Marine Forces Command, Indian Head, MD. In 2018, LtCol Kelly deployed to USCENTCOM in support of Operation - INHERENT RESOLVE with Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade as the lead advisor to the Royal Jordanian 77th Marine Commando Battalion (Jordan). In 2019, LtCol Kelly was assigned as the OIC, Readiness Support Program (RSP), Force Headquarters Group (FHG) mobilization site, Syracuse, NY. In 2021, LtCol Kelly was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company 2/25, and served as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer/ITX Planner, Battalion Operations Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer. In 2023, he was assigned as lead maneuver instructor, Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) IMA detachment, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Center Twentynine Palms, CA. In 2024, LtCol Kelly was assigned as the Operations Officer, 4th Marine Division G-3/5, New Orleans, LA.
In 2025, LtCol Kelly deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan) serving as the Deputy Chief of Operations for CJTF-OIR and USFOR - IRAQ/SYRIA during Operation - EPIC FURY and the coalition's counter-ISIS mission. In July 2026, LtCol Kelly was assigned as the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Brooklyn, NY.
LtCol Kelly is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School (2006), The Basic School (2008), Infantry Officer Course (2008), Marine Advisor Course (2018), Marine Corps Command and Staff College (2021) and the Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course (2022). LtCol Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (2007).
LtCol Kelly's personal decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/ Gold Star), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (w/ Combat “V”), and the Combat Action Ribbon.