Maj. Nielsen was born on December 10, 1973 in San Rafael, Calif. He attended Southern Oregon State College where he completed Platoon Leaders Class Juniors. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps as an infantryman in June of 1994. Major Nielsen served with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 5th Marines Reconnaissance platoon and 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Major Nielsen was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and attended Oregon State University.
He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June of 2000 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in history. Upon completion of The Basic School and Infantry Officer’s Course in Quantico, Va., Maj. Nielsen served with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. He served as a weapons platoon commander, company executive officer and 81mm mortar platoon commander, also taking part in the initial invasion of Iraq with Task Force Tarawa.
In May of 2004, Maj. Nielsen transferred to Marine Security Force Company Bangor, Washington serving as a platoon commander. During this tour, he volunteered to augment 1st Battalion, 24th Marines as a platoon commander during their deployment to Iraq.
In August of 2007, Maj. Nielsen was directed to Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico. Upon completion of school, he took command of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines for a deployment to Iraq. After completing his tour as a company commander, Maj. Nielsen served as the Battalion Operations Officer for their deployment to Afghanistan.
In 2010, Maj. Nielsen was board selected among more than 400 Majors to command a Recruiting Station within Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
Maj. Nielsen’s personal awards include: Bronze Star, (2) Navy Commendation medals with (1) Service Device for Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon.