Lieutenant Colonel Gough graduated from James Madison University in 1988 with a BA in English. He worked in sales in the D.C. area until entering the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Nov 1989. After the Basic Officer Course, he reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. After flight school and training as a Harrier pilot, he reported to Marine Attack Squadron 211 in Yuma, Arizona. After three years and two successful six-month deployments, one to Japan and one to the Persian Gulf aboard an amphibious aircraft carrier, he was accepted to the pilot exchange program with the Spanish Navy. Before reporting to Spain, he graduated with honors from the Defense Language Institute. While in Spain, he integrated with the Spanish Armada’s 9th Harrier Squadron and worked as the pilot training officer.

Upon completion of the exchange tour in Spain, Lieutenant Colonel Gough returned to Yuma and worked as the Air Group Landing Signal Officer and as the Current Operations Officer. He then was reassigned to Marine Attack Squadron 211, this time as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During this tour, he was selected to be the Harrier Detachment Officer-in-charge to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Post-deployment, he became the Operations Officer for the squadron and once again deployed, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Gough attended the Naval War College, graduated with distinction, and was awarded a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

After school, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he coordinated midshipman training and career development. He also served as an adjunct professor to the Language Studies Department and taught 2nd and 3rd year Spanish and public speaking. His most recent assignment was a joint billet at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, where he served as the Marine Corps Special Assistant and speech writer for the Combatant Commander. During this assignment, he was awarded the Foreign Area Officer specialty for Latin America and Western Europe.

His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals with combat distinguishing devices, two Flight/Strike Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Spanish Meritorious Cross with white device, and a number of campaign and service awards.