From Middletown, Maryland, Lieutenant Colonel Spillane graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  Lieutenant Colonel Spillane attended OCC 193, and was commissioned a 2ndLt in December 2006, completed The Basic School in July of 2007 and was designated a Naval Aviator in August of 2009, assigned to fly the CH-53D Sea Stallion. 

Upon completing co-pilot training in the CH-53E Super Stallion at Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 (HMHT-302), First Lieutenant Spillane reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMH-463) in November 2010, and was promoted to Captain in January 2011.  Captain Spillane deployed to Afghanistan in February 2011 in support of OEF 11.1 and began conversion to the CH-53E upon redeployment to Hawaii in August 2011.

After converting to the CH-53E, Captain Spillane completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-13.  From September 2013 to April 2014, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the CH-53E detachment WTI.  While at HMH-463, Captain Spillane served as the Pilot Training Officer, Squadron WTI, Flight Line Division Officer, Airframes Division Officer, and Schedule Writer.

Captain Spillane reported to Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia in June of 2014, graduating in May of 2015.

Captain Spillane reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as a CH-53E Instructor Pilot from 2015-2017, promoting to Major in May of 2017.  While at MAWTS-1 Major Spillane served as the Problem Framing, Heavy Lift and Internal Cargo Subject Matter Expert, and the Heavy Lift Tactics and Assault Support Planning Problem evolution coordinator. 

After MAWTS-1, Major Spillane executed orders to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) CH-53E/K Detachment in June 2017 as the Officer in Charge.  Major Spillane received orders to MAG-29 in June 2018 and assumed the duties of Future Operations Officer.  In February 2019 Major Spillane assumed the duties of HMH-464 Operations officer, then assumed the duties of the Executive Officer.

From July 2020 – September 2021, Major Spillane attended the Naval War College.  He was selected for, and completed the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, becoming an operational planner and earning a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies.  In October 2021, Major Spillane reported to the Second Marine Division to serve as an operational planner.  In this capacity he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, selected to command HMH-462, and worked on Service-level modernization and experimentation initiatives including Reconnaissance – Counter reconnaissance, culminating with a deployment to Naples, Italy as a member of Task Force 61/2.  

Lieutenant Colonel Spillane is married to Michelle Spillane, and they have two children, (Emma, 11 and William, 7).  He has held all qualifications and designations in the CH-53E.  His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 4, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two stars in lieu of third award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.