Captain Reilley was born in Port Jefferson, New York and enlisted in the Navy in 1986, becoming a nuclear- trained electronics technician aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). He received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering.
His early sea duty assignments include USS Thorn (DD 988), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72). He commanded Crew Bulwark at sea in several mine-countermeasures ships, including USS Scout (MCM 8) in Manama, Bahrain, and commanded USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during NATO efforts in Libya and re-opening of the U.S. embassy in Tripoli. Most recently he commanded the Navy’s Afloat Forward Staging Base, USS PONCE (AFSB(i)15) in the Fifth Fleet.
His shore duty assignments include leading Surface Missile Systems C-school curriculums in Dam Neck, Virginia and serving in various roles at the Pentagon such as Action Officer for surface weapon programs in OPNAV N76 Surface Warfare directorate, Flag Aide to OPNAV N8 Resources, Requirements and Assessments, and Resource Officer for Surface Mine Warfare Systems in OPNAV N85 Expeditionary Warfare Directorate, serving as Military Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Tactical Warfare Systems. He taught Strategic Leadership and led Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industry studies at National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. His final Pentagon tour was as deputy director of Combat Logistics and Strategic Sealift division in the OPNAV N4; he was instrumental in directorate re-organization and the creation of Logistics Division (N4L) where he served as Branch Head for Joint Distribution branch.
Reilley earned a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy with Supply Chain minor at The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (formerly known as Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF)), and a Master of Arts (highest distinction) in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
CAPT Reilley currently serves as Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs for The Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit and campaign medals. He is married to his high-school sweetheart from Stony Brook, NY and rescues beagles.