Colonel Gaines is a native of Navasota, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University and enlisted in the Marine Corps attending recruit training at MCRD San Diego, serving in MWSS 373 El Toro, CA prior to receiving his commission via the Enlisted Commissioning Program.
2ndLt Gaines served in MWSS 274 from June of 1996 to May of 1999 filling several billets and conducted a deployment as the MWSS Detachment Commander in support of VMAQ-2 during Operation Deliberate Guard.
In May of 1999, 1stLt Gaines transferred to 3d Battalion 3d Marine Regiment where he served as the Battalion S-4 Officer. While with the Battalion he participated in numerous exercises throughout the Pacific region and completed a UDP deployment to Okinawa, Japan.
In May of 2001, Captain Gaines took command of Landing Support Company, Combat Service Support Group-3. Captain Gaines’ completed his tour by serving as the CSSD-77 Commanding Officer for Cobra Gold 2003.
In June of 2003, Captain Gaines received orders to Pretoria, South Africa as the Marine Security Guard Company F Executive Officer, responsible for conducting inspections of MSG detachments throughout South and East Africa as well as Brazil.
In July of 2005, Major Gaines transferred to 3d Marine Regiment where he served as the Regimental S-4 Officer. From July of 2006 through February of 2007 Major Gaines served as a Military Iraqi Transition Team advisor to the Iraqi Army’s 2nd battalion 2nd brigade 7th Infantry Division in Haditha, Iraq.
In July of 2008, Major Gaines attended the USMC Command and Staff College, Quantico Virginia. Upon graduation in June of 2009 he was assigned to as the Amphibious Logistics Planner for Striking and Support Forces NATO (SFN), Naples Italy.
While with SFN, Major Gaines served with NATO and partnership for peace (PFP) Allies throughout Europe, participating in numerous international exercises. From March to October 2011 Major Gaines participated in NATO’s Operation Unified Protector (Libya).
LtCol Gaines took command of Combat Logistics Battalion-4 in November of 2012. In November of 2013, CLB-4 deployed as the LCE for 3d MEB ISO Operation Damayan, the humanitarian relief effort following Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Tacloban, PI.
After command, LtCol Gaines attended The National War College in Washington DC and then spent 2015-18 as the Executive Officer for Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group, MCAGCC. In July of 2018 Colonel Gaines assumed duties as the G-4, 2D Marine Division.
Colonel Gaines’ personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf, The Meritorious Service Medal with three gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian assistance Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He holds a BBA from Texas Tech University, a MA in Economics from The University of Oklahoma, a MS in Military Studies from the Marine Corps University, and a MS in Strategic Studies form the National Defense University.