Sergeant Major Gilliland was born on June 8, 1980 in Huntington Beach, California. He enlisted into the Marine Corps on April 26, 2000 and conducted training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He is a Stinger Missleman by trade and attended Stinger Gunner School at Fort Bliss, Texas. There, he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class and nominated as the "Gung Ho" recipient for outstanding leadership and dedication.
In December 2000, he reported to 3d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD Bn) where he served as a Machine Gunner, Avenger Crewman and Team Leader. In August 2002, he deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported combat operations in Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I. During this time, he directly supported the Queens Dragoon Guard (British tank unit) and conducted operations throughout the major cities of Al Basra, Umm Qasr and An Nasiriya. He redeployed to Iraq in February 2004 for follow-on combat operations, this time serving as a squad leader responsible for the operation and security of the main entry control point at Al Asad Airbase. Throughout these periods, he received meritorious promotions to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant.
In September 2005, he reported to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. While there, he attained the status of Senior Drill Instructor, Brown Belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor, and Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival. His efforts while on the Depot, led to his meritorious promotion to Staff Sergeant.
In March 2009, he reported back to 3d LAAD Bn and served as a Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander for Bravo Battery, First Platoon. In February 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan for combat operations and regularly partnered with the Afghanistan National Army and the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. Upon redeployment, he completed the LAAD Weapons & Tactics Instructors course in Yuma, AZ, and was assigned as the lead Instructor of the Battalion's Training Cell. For his actions in Afghanistan and throughout this period, he received a meritorious promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was chosen as the 2011 "Kenneth A. Innis" MCAA recipient, for 3d Marine Aircraft Wing.
In May 2012, he regained the billet MOS of 0911 and filled the duties as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor for George Washington University, in Washington D.C. In October 2015, he transferred to his MOS schoolhouse in Twentynine Palms CA, and fulfilled the duties as an instructor and curriculum developer.
In December 2015, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and reported to H&S Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines. In April 2016, he deployed to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and served as the senior enlisted leader of a Company responsible for the development and partnership of the Jordanian Marine Corps and Army. Upon his return, he moved up to fulfill the duties as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant, of 7th Marine Regiment.
In November of 2018, he transferred to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, serving as the H&S Company First Sergeant and Battalion Sergeant Major. In May 2020, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-462 in Miramar, CA, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program. In June of 2022, he reported back to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion to serve as the senior enlisted leader. In September of 2023, he and his family moved to Okinawa Japan, and is currently serving as the command senior enlisted leader of Marine Aircraft Group-36.
He holds a Masters Degree in Business, a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership, and is a published author. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award w/ valor device), and a Combat Action Ribbon.