Colonel Castellano grew up in Virginia, graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and earned his commission in 1995.
Following graduation from The Basic School, he became a Supply Officer and reported to 3rd Battalion, Eighth Marines, 2D Marine Division (MarDiv) where he participated in cold weather training at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, CA and deployed to Okinawa on a Unit Deployment Program evolution.
Reassigned in May 1998, 1stlt Castellano served as the Eighth Marines Regimental S-4A/Supply Officer and participated in Combined Arms Exercise 3/4 – 99 at 29 Palms, CA.
In January of 2000, Captain Castellano became a Series Commander at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, went on to assume command of Company F and later served as the Depot’s AC/S G-2/3 Operations Officer.
In December 2002, Captain Castellano transferred to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to be the MEU Supply Officer. Captain Castellano deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM I and to OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM II supporting combat operations in the An Najaf region of Iraq.
Major Castellano transferred to Marine Barracks, Washington D.C. and served as the Barracks S-4 Officer. He participated in numerous ceremonial events to include President Gerald Ford’s State Funeral, ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, and Evening and Sunset Parades. He also maintained buildings on the National Historic Registry, including the Home of the Commandants.
In July 2008, Major Castellano reported to 2D Maintenance Battalion, 2D Marine Logistics Group (MLG) and served concurrently as the Executive Officer and Operations Officer. During this tour, he deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 09-02 where his battalion played a key role in closing Lakeside, Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq.
Major Castellano then transferred to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), Marine Special Operations Support Group (MSOSG) and served as the Headquarters and Logistics Company Commander. After promotion, he became the MSOSG Executive Officer.
Selected for Battalion level command, he served as the Inspector-Instructor, 4th Maintenance Battalion, 4th MLG, from July 2011 to July 2013 and led the Battalion through Integrated Training Exercise 4-13 as Combat Logistics Battalion 451 at 29 Palms, CA.
Post command, Lieutenant Colonel Castellano served as Deputy G4, 2D MarDiv through September 2014. The Division selected him to an Iraqi Advisor Team in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE in 2015 and deployed him as the team’s senior logistician. While there, his team reestablished a United States military presence aboard Camp Al Taqaddum in eastern Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
Returning from Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Castellano served as Executive Officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2D MLG until July 2016. He then returned to MARSOC as the G-83 Current Requirements and Capability Development Officer.
In July of 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Castellano became the United States Africa Command Desk Officer assigned to the Joint Staff J7 Deputy Director Joint Training. After the Joint Staff, Col Castellano returned to 2D MLG and served as the 2D MLG Assistant Chief of Staff G4 until May of 2020 when he assumed responsibility as Chief of Staff.
Colonel Castellano’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award and the Army Achievement Medal. He holds a Master of Arts in Management from National University in San Diego, California and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.