LtCol Gilman was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps via Officer Candidate School in January 1994. Upon completion of The Basic School, the Infantry Officer’s Course, and the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 1st Marine Division where he served as the Scout Sniper Platoon Commander with Battalion Landing Team 1/1 and deployed with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). In January 1997, he was reassigned as the battalion Intelligence Officer. During the battalion’s subsequent deployment with13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), he simultaneously served as the BLT S-2 and the MEU Reconnaissance and Surveillance Coordinator.

In 1998, he transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment, U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, Arizona where he served as a Staff Planning Instructor in the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course. Upon graduation from the MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course as the class Distinguished Graduate in May 1999, he was subsequently reassigned to the Navy-Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center as the Director, Ground Intelligence Officer Course.

In 2001, he was reassigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion where he served for a year as the battalion Intelligence Officer. In May 2002, he assumed command of Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and led Company C in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. In May 2003, he was reassigned as the battalion Operations Officer and he served in this capacity with the battalion during its deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom II from February to September 2004.

In June 2005 he was reassigned to the U.S. Naval War College where he attended the College of Naval Command and Staff. He graduated with distinction in June 2006 and was reassigned to Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps where he served as the Ground Reconnaissance Advocate and Occupational Field Sponsor in the Ground Combat Element Branch.

In July 2009, LtCol Gilman was reassigned to 1st Marine Division where he was initially assigned as the Deputy G-2. In December 2009, he assumed duties as the 1st Marine Division (Forward) G-2 and deployed in that capacity with the Division (Forward) from March 2010 through November 2010.

LtCol Gilman holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Montana Tech and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold star in lieu of second award, the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of third award, the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.

LtCol Gilman and his wife reside in Cardiff, California with their two sons.