Meet Brian Gillespie, U.S. Marine Corps — 2025 Veteran
Brian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1982, where he proudly served as a Corporal in 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. During his 4-year tenure, he embodied the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.
In 1984 he was deployed aboard the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), an amphibious assault ship. During this deployment, he participated in operations such as Team Spirit 784, Kernal Blitz 84-1, LANDEX at Zambales, Valiant Usher 84-7 and various phases of Battle Week 84-3.
In February 1983, they picked up remnants of the Marine units that were leaving Beirut, Lebanon after the barracks bombing in October 1983. In 1986, he deployed to Camp Fuji, Japan and Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
In 1989, Brian transitioned to a new role as a law enforcement officer, joining the Manasquan Police Department as a Special Officer Class I. In September 1992, he was hired as a full-time Officer. Over the next two decades, he demonstrated exemplary service as both a Patrolman and Detective. His assignments included the Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, Juvenile Detective and Community Policing. He retired from Manasquan Police in 2010.
In 2016, Brian transitioned to a different aspect of service, becoming a Supervisor for Vets4Warriors, a 24/7 national peer support program hosted by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. His role involved providing crucial support to veterans and their families, embodying his dedication to those who have served. Next he transitioned to the Supervisor for Cop2Cop, a law enforcement 24/7 peer support program also hosted by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, from 2019 to 2021.
In June 2021, Brian embraced a new mission as a Treatment Advocate and Return to Work Specialist for Recovery Centers of America at Raritan Bay RESCU First Responders Treatment Program. In this role, he played a pivotal part in helping first responders and their families on the daily path to recovery.
Brian's service extends beyond his professional roles. He has been deeply involved in volunteer work throughout his life. He served with the Leatherneck Pipes & Drums, the Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Port Authority Police Pipes & Drums and was the Drum Sergeant for the Pipes & Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelagh.
Additionally, he founded and served as the first Commandant of the Jersey Shore Marines Detachment of the Marine Corps League, embodying the spirit of camaraderie among fellow Marines. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Vetwork, a veteran non-profit based out of Ocean County.
In 2001 from September to November, Brian played in many of the funerals and memorials for Port Authority Police Officers and K9 Sirus. The Port Authority Pipe Band lost three of their band members and the Port Authority Police Department lost 37 members on 9/11.
As PBA State Delegate for Manasquan Police, Brian and other members of the department responded to Ground Zero in part of the rescue and recovery efforts, and as part of the NJ State PBA providing comfort, food and services to those working the pile.
Brian is a 100% disabled veteran for PTSD and this was awarded to him within the last year. He begs of you to not suffer in silence like he did for all those years, while carrying on with the appearance that everything was OK. We cannot do this alone.
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Jeff Mullins
President-CEO, Rebuilding Warriors
