Colonel Kellman was born in Colon, Panama, October 20, 1968 and immigrated to the United States in January 1969. He graduated from Highlands High School, Sacramento, California in June 1986 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in October of that same year. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management both from National University of San Diego. He also received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. Upon completing basic training with Echo Company, 2nd RTBn, MCRD San Diego, he attended Communication Electronics School at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA.
After graduating from Communication Electronics School, PFC Kellman was assigned to a three-year tour in Kaneohe Bay, HI, with Bravo Company, 7th Communications Battalion. In September of 1990, he deployed with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After returning to the United States, he was assigned to a three-year tour at Camp Pendleton, California, with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense. In December 1993, he was assigned as a canvassing recruiter to a three-year tour in MCRS Montgomery, Alabama, RSS Mobile, Alabama. In December 1996, he was assigned to a three-year tour in Quantico, Virginia, with Communication Officers School.
In October 1998, Gunnery Sergeant Kellman was selected for the Meritorious Commissioning Program and was subsequently commissioned a Second Lieutenant in April of 1999. After Completing the Basic Officer Course and Supply Officer Course, he was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Force Service Support Group, Twentynine Palms, California. During his tour at Combat Service Support Group-1, he served as the Reparable Issue Point Platoon Commander and Operations Officer and participated in numerous Combined Arms Exercises.
In July 2002, at the conclusion of his tour with Combat Service Support Group-1, he was transferred to Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD San Diego, and assigned to Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. While at Co E, he served as Series Commander and Company Commander. He also served as the Operations Officer of 2nd RTBn, MCRD, San Diego, California. He concluded his tour on the depot as Company Commander of Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCRD, San Diego, California.
In July 2006, after graduating from the U.S. Army’s Combined Captains’ Career Logistics Course (CCCLC) in Fort Lee, Virginia, he was transferred to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division as the Regimental Supply Officer. During this 3-year tour he deployed twice to Iraq and served in Fallujah and Al Asad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2009, after being selected to attend the Korean Command and Staff College he was assigned to the Defense Language Institute (DLI) to study Korean. Upon graduation from DLI he attended the Korean Command and Staff College and graduated in December 2011 as an honor graduate.
In January 2012, he was assigned to the Headquarters of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps in Baran, South Korea as a Liaison Officer and as a translator and linguist for Marine Forces Korea in Seoul, South Korea.
Upon returning to the United States, he deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in January 2014 for seven months with Combat Logistics Battalion 7 as the Company Commander of Combat Logistics Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
When he returned in August 2014 he was assigned as the Company Commander of Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. After Company Command he became the Executive Officer of 1st Supply Battalion.
Upon completing his tour at 1st Supply Battalion, he deployed to Al Asad, Iraq as the Logistics Officer and 7th Iraqi Army Division’s Sustainment Advisor for Task Force Al Asad, Iraq in November 2016 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
After returning from Al Asad, Iraq he took command of CLB-453 in Aurora, Colorado as the Battalion Inspector-Instructor in July 2017. After command in June 2019, he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Upon graduation from the Naval War College he was assigned as a Special
Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium from July 2020 to June 2022. In June 2022, he assumed the role as the G4 of Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, California.
Colonel Kellman’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award), and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel Kellman is married to the former Wendy S. Coleman of Mobile, Alabama. They live in Murrieta, California and have a daughter, Shynell G. Kellman who is 19 years old and attending the University of Oregon.