Lieutenant Colonel Shannon L. Gross enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005 and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class upon graduation from boot camp.
Gross’ initial enlisted assignment was as an administrative clerk at Marine Aviation Training and Support Group 21, NAS Pensacola, before transitioning to the Inactive Ready Reserve to attend Jacksonville University.
Gross was awarded the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship in 2006 and commissioned into the Marine Corps in 2010.
Gross was assigned as a military police officer and completed the Military Police Basic Officer’s Leadership Course at Fort Leonard Wood in 2011.
Gross’ first operational assignment was as a Services Officer, Operations Officer, and Deputy Provost Marshal at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
In June 2014, Gross reported to 3d Law Enforcement Battalion, Okinawa, where she held roles as Company Commander, Future Operations Officer, and Battalion Unit Readiness Officer. Gross supported multiple exercises in the Pacific, including Key Resolve, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, and Ssang Yong.
In 2016, Gross completed resident Expeditionary Warfare School and served at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, in various capacities including Warfighting Instructor, Staff Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Future Operations Officer.
In 2020, Gross served as the Provost Marshal at MCRD San Diego for two years before she was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station San Diego, Western Recruiting Region.
In 2025, Gross was assigned as a Strategic Analyst in the Strategy and Plans Division, Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. In June 2026, she was assigned as the Commanding Officer of 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Gross is a graduate of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College.
Gross’ awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award).
Gross is married to Lt. Col. Ryan Russell.