Colonel Andrew E. Terrell was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2002 after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Virginia Tech. Following completion of The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in March 2003, he was designated as an Infantry Officer and reported to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.
During his initial tour with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Colonel Terrell completed three combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from 2003 to 2005. He served in various billets including Rifle Platoon Commander, Executive Officer, and Company Commander. In May 2005, he assumed command of Headquarters and Service Company, leading the unit through operations and training until February 2006.
Selected for the prestigious British Royal Marine Commando Exchange Program, Colonel Terrell spent the next two years with 40 Commando, Royal Marines, based in Taunton, England. There, he completed the rigorous All Arms Commando Course, participated in two multinational NATO training exercises, and deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick 7, operating alongside British and coalition forces in a complex and high-threat environment.
Upon returning to the United States, he attended Expeditionary Warfare School, graduating in 2009. He then reported to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, where he assumed command of Lima Company. He led the company on two deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), conducting counterinsurgency operations in some of the most kinetic areas of Helmand Province.
In 2012, Colonel Terrell transitioned to the Selected Marine Corps Reserve, serving with 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in San Antonio, Texas. There, he held the billets of Charlie Company Inspector-Instructor and Battalion Operations Officer, playing a key role in the training, equipping, and readiness of Reserve Marines preparing for deployment.
From June 2015 to July 2018, Colonel Terrell served as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Detroit, where he led one of the most challenging recruiting stations in the Eastern Recruiting Region. Under his leadership, the station exceeded recruiting goals across multiple fiscal years, earning recognition for excellence in accessions and recruiter development.
Following his tour in recruiting, Colonel Terrell reported to the 1st Marine Division Headquarters in July 2018, where he served as the Division Current Operations Officer. In this capacity, he coordinated and synchronized large-scale training and operational deployments in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force requirements.
On 17 July 2020, Colonel Terrell assumed command of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. As the Battalion Landing Team Commander for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), he led MEU Patrol 22.1, executing distributed maritime operations and bilateral training across the Indo-Pacific region. His leadership enhanced regional partnerships and strengthened the Marine Corps’ forward presence.
In July 2023, Colonel Terrell completed a distinguished tour at the Israeli National Defense College in Glilot, Israel, where he studied joint and interagency strategy alongside senior officers from the Israel Defense Forces and international military partners.
Most recently, Colonel Terrell served as a Cross-Functional Team Lead within the Joint Task Force – Special Reconnaissance Enabling Command at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Tampa, Florida. In this strategic-level role, he integrated special operations capabilities with joint and interagency mission sets supporting national security objectives.
Colonel Terrell has been married to the former Amy Seay for 22 years. They are the proud parents of three children: Luke (14), Nate (12), and Caroline (8).