Major Kelly G Waugh was born in 1972 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. He grew up in Abingdon, VA and was a 1991 graduate of the Holston High School.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1991, attending basic training at Parris Island, SC. He then attended the Marine Combat Training course in Camp Lejeune, NC. Following, he attended various avionics schools at NAS Millington, TN. Upon graduation he was assigned to Marine Air control Squadron 1 at MCAS Camp Pendleton, Ca. He was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps in June 1996.
Major Waugh enlisted in the Tennessee Army National Guard in 2002 as a Cavalry Scout. He was assigned to Troop F, 2nd Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Bristol, TN. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, and returned home in the fall of 2005. In May 2006, he transferred to the United States Army Reserves assigned to the 1st BN/320th RGT/3rd BDE/98th DIV in Abingdon, VA.
In May 2008 he graduated from King College in Bristol, TN, with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, and in May 2010 received his Masters degree in Business Administration from King College and received his Commission via the Direct Commission program. He was then assigned as Platoon leader for the 1st platoon, 760th EN CO (V) in Marion, VA. He completed the Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course in Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 2011. Upon graduation from EBOLC he was assigned to the AGR program as the Executive officer of the 721st EN CO (HC), in Grand Prairie, TX. In December 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan as the company construction officer (XO). Upon redeployment back to Grand Prairie, TX, he assumed command of the 721st EN CO(HC), Rear Detachment.
In March 2014, he reported to the 1st Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Training Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC, as the Mobilization Officer. In November 2015, he reported to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, for Engineer Captains Career Course. In August 2016, he reported to the 412th TEC, assigned to the G3, as the current operations chief. In July 2019, he reported to the University of Tennessee as an Assistant Professor of Military Science.
MAJ Waugh’s awards and decorations include:
- the, the Meritorious Service Medal w/ (1) oak leaf cluster (OL), Army Commendation Medal w/ (1) OL the Army Achievement Medal w/ (3) OLs, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Component Medal with (1) OL, the National Defense Service Medal w/star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ campaign star, the Iraq Campaign Medal w/ campaign star, the Global war on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 year hour glass and “M” device, and numeral 2, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon ,the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
MAJ Waugh and his wife Amanda, a native of Virginia, reside in Knoxville, TN. He and his wife have been married 28 years, and have 4 sons, Austin, Kyle, Gavin, and Ian, and two granddaughters, Miracle and Ariana.