Major Kelso enlisted in the Marine Corps on 12 November 1997. Upon completion of boot camp at MCRD Parris Island and Marine Combat training at Camp Lejeune, he was ordered to aviation maintenance technician school in Pensacola, FL. After completing his follow on training at MCAS Camp Pendleton. Ca. he received the primary MOS of 6324, an H-1 Avionics Technician. In May 1998, Lance Corporal Kelso reported to HMLA-167 on MCAS New River, Jacksonville, NC for duty as an “O Level” Avionics Technician. While there LCPL Kelso participated on numerous Detachments for Training, including a Double CAX, Dynamic Mix Exercises, (Greece and Spain). In October of 2000 Corporal Kelso was attached to HMM-266 as part of the 22nd MEU(SOC). While on deployment, he earned the collateral duty inspector (CDI) certification and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Upon completion of the deployment, Sgt. Kelso returned to HMLA-167, where he participated in 2 Weapons and Tactics Instructor courses.
In October 2003, Sgt Kelso applied for and was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Commissioning Program. Upon graduation for the University of South Florida he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 2006. After completion of TBS he attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL and was re-designated with the 6602 MOS and promoted to 1stLt. 1stLt Kelso reported to MALS-29 in October 2010 where he served as the MALS-29 Supply Response Division Officer in Charge from May 2011 through March 2012. August 2012 Captain Kelso was Assigned to II MEF Command Element for deployment to Afghanistan, where he served as the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program OIC and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. In June of 2014 Capt. Kelso was assigned to Marine Transport Squadron 1 and served as the Aviation Supply/S-4 Officer until October of 2016. Capt Kelso was then assigned as the II MAW Aviation Budget Officer, and earned his second NMCOM. Capt Kelso was then assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Warfare Integration Brand, N9I as the Expeditionary Program Analyst until June 2019. While serving in the Pentagon, he was promoted to the rank of Major and earned both a MBA (Acquisitions) and the Certified Defense Financial Manager Certification. In June of 2019 Major Kelso reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-29, serving as the Operations officer from June 2019 to June 2020.
As of 1 June 2020 Major Kelso began serving as the MALS-29 Executive Officer.
Major Kelso is a graduate of Supply Officers’ Basic Qualification Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, and Command and Staff College. Major Kelso’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars.