Thomas Kelly

Master Sergeant Thomas “Tom” Kelly (U.S. Army, Retired) brings 24 years of active-duty military experience to his writing, including 20 years in Special Forces.

Kelly began his career as an airborne infantryman with Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, he completed Special Forces Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course. He went on to serve as an Engineer Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant, and Team Sergeant with 10th Special Forces Group, leading Special Forces Operational Detachment–Alpha 0332 from September 2009 through December 2012.

His subsequent assignments included Chief Instructor at the Special Operations Forces Mountaineering School, liaison officer with 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (National Guard), and Chief Instructor for the Small Unit Tactics phase of the Special Forces Qualification Course.

Throughout his career, Kelly deployed to Kosovo, Iraq, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Niger, Jordan, and Afghanistan. His operational service included Operation Iraqi Freedom III, V, and VI, as well as Resolute Support Mission 11 in Afghanistan.