Lieutenant Colonel Hillery was born on 9 June 1981 in Honolulu, HI, and was raised on various Marine Corps posts and stations as a dependent. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and commissioned a Second Lieutenant.
Following The Basic School and Logistics Officer Course he was assigned to Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division in July of 2004. During this tour, Second Lieutenant Hillery served as the Headquarters & Service Platoon Commander and deployed as an Individual Augment to 4th Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion (HQBn) in September 2004 to Camp Blue Diamond, Ramadi, Iraq, during OIF II-2. During the deployment, he and his platoon conducted hundreds of resupply convoys to 14 bases and posts throughout the Al Anbar and Babil Provinces.
Upon returning from deployment in April 2005, 1stLt Hillery was re-assigned as Platoon Commander, Third Platoon, 1st Truck Company, HQBn. He and his platoon deployed as the Truck Platoon attachment to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, in September 2005 to Haditha Dam, Iraq during OIF III-2. During the deployment, his platoon conducted regular resupply convoys to Haditha City, Haqliniya, Barwanna, and Al Asad, as well as directly supported multiple named operations.
Upon returning from OIF II-2 in April 2006, he was re-assigned as Truck Company Executive Officer. While serving in this capacity, he commanded the Remain Behind Element (RBE) while the Company HQ was deployed ISO I MHG in Fallujah, Iraq until February of 2007.
In June 2007, First Lieutenant Hillery reported to Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and was promoted to Captain in July. During his tour, he served as the S-3a, Range Company Executive Officer, and H&S Company Commander.
In July 2010, Captain Hillery reported to Marine Corps University and completed Expeditionary Warfare School with the class of 2011.
In June 2011, Captain Hillery reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group and served as the S-3a from June-September 2011. During Enhanced Mojave Viper 7-11, he led the battalion’s Operational Planning Team to plan its OEF 11-2 deployment, resulting in the final Operations Order. Captain Hillery then received a Regimental Special Order to Combat Logistics Battalion 5 in October 2011 to serve as the Operations Officer. Captain Hillery served as the Operations Officer until October 2013, and major events included PTP and the battalion’s OEF 12-1 deployment, as well as 11 major field exercises including Steel Knight, Desert Firing Exercise, and Desert Scimitar.
In October 2013, Captain Hillery was re-assigned as the CLB-5 Executive Officer and was frocked to Major in November. While in that capacity, the battalion participated in Steel Knight and Desert Scimitar and began planning for its SPMAGTF CR-CC 14.1 deployment.
In July 2014, Major Hillery reported to Marine Corps University and completed Command & Staff College with the class of 2015 as a Distinguished Graduate.
In June 2015, Major Hillery reported to Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as the Current Operations Officer, Logistics Plans and Operations Section, Logistics Plans and Operations Branch, LP Division, Installations & Logistics Directorate.
In June 2017, Major Hillery reported to 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he served as the Logistics Officer for the Command Element during the WESTPAC 18-2 deployment. 13th MEU supported multiple operations during the deployment, including Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, Noble Bounty, and Odyssey Resolve, as well as conducted numerous bilateral training exercise with partner nations in Indo-Pacific Command and Central Command including exercises Iron Magic and Eastern Maverick.
In June 2019, Major Hillery reported to Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and served as the Regimental Executive Officer. He led planning and coordination for deactivation of the CLR-15 headquarters in July 2020. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November 2019.
In July 2020, LtCol Hillery reported to CLR-1 to serve as the Executive Officer and participated in Steel Knight and MAGTF Warfighter Exercise 21.
In May 2021, LtCol Hillery reported to 1st MLG G-3 to serve as the Deputy G-3 during a pivotal time in 1st MLG to synchronize support with the Commandant’s Planning Guidance, Force Design, and development of 1st MLG’s Fiscal year 22-24 Campaign Order.
LtCol Hillery’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Gold Stars), Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Gold Star), and Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.