Colonel Fitzgerald received his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1996 as a Ground Supply Officer. His first assignment was to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. In 1999, he reported to 3rd Transportation Support Battalion as the Maintenance Company XO/ Maintenance Management Officer. In 2000, he deployed as Operations Officer for Combat Service Support Detachment (CSSD)-34 in support of Exercise COBRA GOLD. Upon return from deployment, he became the unit Supply Officer and Executive Officer for CSSD-39 Air Contingency MAGTF. Col Fitzgerald then received orders to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, where the unit participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in the “March-Up to Baghdad.”
From 2004 to 2005, he attended Marine Corps University’s Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation, Col Fitzgerald transferred to Marine Corps Tactical Support Systems Activity to act as the Supply Management Unit OIC and Supply Officer. In summer of 2008, he reported to 2nd Supply Battalion to be the Operations Officer for the unit’s deployment to Iraq. 2nd Supply Bn (-) REIN deployed in 2009 to Iraq to retrograde the Marines Corps’ intermediate level supply and maintenance capabilities along with equipment supporting the Iraqi Theater. Upon the units return from deployment he became the Supply Company Commander.
In the fall of 2010, he to reported Marine Corps University’s Command and Staff College where he received a Master’s Degree. After school, he transferred to Combat Logistics Regiment-17 as the Operations Officer. In 2012, he took command of 1st Supply Battalion for two years. Upon relinquishing command, he immediately deployed to Afghanistan as the Executive Officer for Redeployment and Retrograde in support of Reset and Reconstitution Operations Group (R4OG) effectively returning or disposing all Marine Corps equipment back to the United States during 2014.
Upon return from the deployment, he became the Deputy G4 for 1st Marine Logistics Group and was selected to attend Top Level School. In 2015, he reported to National Defense University, Eisenhower School, earning a Master’s degree. In the summer of 2016, Col Fitzgerald received orders to Marine Corps Special Operations Command, to be the G8, Future Requirements Branch Head. In the spring of 2018, Col Fitzgerald transferred to the Joint Staff Logistics Directorate as Deputy Director for Current Operations/ Joint Logistics Operations Center and Future Operations Integration. From June 2020 to June 2023 Col Fitzgerald commanded MCLB Albany. In July 2023, he was transferred to MCI-East to act as the Chief of Staff. In July 2024 Col Fitzgerald transferred to 3rd MLG to be the Chief of Staff.
Col Fitzgerald has attended the following military schools: The Basic School, Ground Supply Officers Course, Mountain Leaders Course, Maintenance Management Leaders Course, Joint Maritime Preposition Force Planners Course, Tactical Logistics Operations Course, Marine Corps Logistics Education Program at Penn State, Advanced Logistics Operations Course, Commanders Course, and Senior Officers Legal Course.
He has a BA in Communications from the State University of New York at Cortland, a Masters in Military Studies from Marine Corps University, and another Masters from National Defense University, Eisenhower School, in National Resource Strategy.
Col Fitzgerald’s awards included the Legion of Merit with 1 Gol Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Gold Stars, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 Gold Stars, and a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.