Major Zachery J. Kelly is a native of North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in September 2004. He completed training at the School of Infantry aboard Camp Geiger, North Carolina in April 2005 and reported to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines as a Rifleman. After completing Designated Marksman training at the Blackwater training facility in Moyock, North Carolina he deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the USS Austin, taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to May 2006. From March to October 2007 he deployed with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines in a rotational deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon completion of his active service in September 2008 Maj Kelly attended North Carolina State University, majoring in Agricultural Business Management. During this time, he enrolled in the Platoon Leaders Course and completed Officer Candidate School in August of 2013. He commissioned in August 2014 and attended The Basic School in May of 2015.
In December 2015, Maj Kelly reported to the USAF 558th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio. Upon completion of undergraduate flight training in February 2017, he received orders to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 (VMU-2) aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina.
During his time at VMU-2 Maj Kelly completed RQ-21A initial qualification and eventually attained Weapons Training Officer and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Instructor. He served as the S-1 OIC, Aviation Safety Officer (ASO), and Director of Safety and Standardization (DoSS), completing a deployment for training in support of Exercise Trident Juncture and multiple training detachments. Maj Kelly deployed with the 22nd MEU from December 2018 to August 2019 as the RQ-21A detachment operations officer, flying from the USS San Antonio in support of Operation ZIRCON STORM and other named operations.
In March 2020, Maj Kelly attended MQ-9A Initial Qualification Training (IQT) at Holloman Air Force Base, completing his training in November 2020. In December 2020, Maj Kelly reported into VMU-1 aboard MCAS Yuma. While flying with the Watchdogs, he took over the MQ-9A NATOPS Program Manager (PM) role and served as ASO, DoSS and shift lead. During his time at VMU-1 Maj Kelly flew in support of Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Prosperity Guardian, Operation Inherent Resolve, and other named operations. His last months at VMU-1 were spent in the Philippines establishing a new site as their operations in CENTCOM came to a close and shifted to the INDOPACOM Area of Responsibility.
In July 2024, Maj Kelly arrived at Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron 2 (VMUT-2), keeping his responsibilities as the MQ-9A NATOPS PM and NATOPS Evaluator as the Model Manager Unit role transferred to the recently stood up Fleet Replacement Squadron. In March 2026, Maj Kelly assumed the duties of Executive Officer.
Major Kelly's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Remote device and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Remote device. He is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School, Aviation Safety Officer School, and a MQ-9A Weapons Training Officer.