Colonel Jeremy M. Nelson enlisted in the Marine Corps in November of 1999. Upon completion of entry-level training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, School of Infantry-West, and Marine Corps Security Force School, he was assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Company, Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
In 2002, after being selected for the Meritorious Commissioning Program, he was ordered to Officer Candidate School in January of 2003. Upon completion of Officer Candidate School, he reported to the Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin in order to finish his bachelor’s degree. In May of 2004 he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Upon completion of The Basic School and Adjutant Course in 2005, he was ordered to 3d Battalion, 6th Marines where he served as the Adjutant and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2007, he transferred to 8th Marine Corps District where he served as the Adjutant. In 2010, he was assigned to the Marine Aviation Detachment, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where he served as the Adjutant, Operations Officer, and Logistics Officer. In 2012, he transferred to 7th Marine Regiment where he served as the Adjutant and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his assignment at 7th Marine Regiment in 2014, he was ordered to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico where he served as the Adjutant.
In 2016, he transferred to The Basic School where he served as the Command Section Head in the Bullpen/Warfighting Instructor Group and Commanding Officer, Echo Company 5-17. Following The Basic School, he attended Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University where he earned a Master’s in Military Studies. After graduation, he was ordered to Marine Corps Combat Development Command / Combat Development and Integration where he served as the Staff Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff G-1.
In June 2021, he executed orders to Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools to serve as the Commanding Officer of Personnel Administration School. In July 2023, he attended the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington D.C. where he earned a Master’s of Science in National Security Strategy. Following graduation in June 2024, he received orders to the Office of the Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness where he served as the Military Deputy.
Colonel Nelson assumed command of Headquarters and Service Battalion. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. in June of 2026.