Obituary of John Matthew Kiely

Specialist John M. Kiely was born in Arlington, Virginia on 16 January 1986 to John and Sarah Kiely. Shortly after completing college, he enlisted into the United States Army on 12 January 2011. SPC Kiely enlisted under the 18X program to become a Special Forces Operator. Departing from the Harrisonburg, Virginia Military Entry Point Station he began his military training by attending Infantry OSUT (One Station Unit Training) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completing OSUT, SPC Kiely continued on to Airborne School to become a Paratrooper. After successfully earning his jump wings, SPC Kiely then proceeded to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and Schools at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There he completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Communications Sergeant.   SPC Kiely's military training includes: Warrior Leader's Course, Airborne School, Special Forces Assessment and Selection, and the Survive, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course.   SPC Kiely's civilian education includes: Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University, College of Business.   SPC Kiely's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.   SPC Kiely is survived by his parents John and Sarah Kiely and his brother Daniel Kiely.