Sergeant Major Wells traveled to Michigan as a foreign exchange student before continuing his education at Grand Valley State University.  Graduating in 1995, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.  Completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, he attended the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton where he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal.

Lance Corporal Wells received orders to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines where he was assigned to Fox Company (Boats) deploying with the 15th and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEU (SOC)) respectively.  During this time he was meritoriously promoted to the ranks of Corporal and then Sergeant.

In August of 1999, Sergeant Wells received orders to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific (EWTGPAC) in Coronado, California where he served as a Coxswain Instructor with the Amphibious Raids Branch.  While at EWTGPAC, Sergeant Wells attended the Basic Reconnaissance Course.

In May of 2001, Sergeant Wells received orders to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, Camp Pendleton where he was assigned to 5th Platoon as an Assistant Team Leader deploying in 2002 in support of the 11th MEU (SOC) and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  During this deployment, Sergeant Wells was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.  After the MEU’s return to Camp Pendleton, 5th Platoon was redeployed to Kuwait in continued support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the subsequent invasion of Iraqi and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

In October of 2003, Staff Sergeant Wells received orders back to EWTGPAC where he served as the Chief Amphibious Operations Instructor at the Basic Reconnaissance Course.

In October of 2006, Staff Sergeant Wells received orders back to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.  The Company was subsequently re-designated 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC).  Staff Sergeant Wells was assigned to Bravo Company as a Special Reconnaissance Team Leader.  Promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Afghanistan (CJSOTF–A).

In August of 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Wells received orders to 1st Special Operations Training Group (SOTG), Camp Pendleton, where he served as the Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) of the Assault Climbers/Non-lethal Weapons Courses and later the SNCOIC of the Special Missions Branch.

Promoted in January of 2011 to First Sergeant, he reported for duty at 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, India Company deploying in November of 2011 in support of the 11th MEU’s WESTPAC deployment.  Immediately upon the battalions return, he transferred to the Security Forces Assistance Advisor Team (SFAAT) deploying in December of 2012 to support the Afghan National Army’s 215th “Maiwand” Corps.

Returning to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines at the completion of the Advisor Team’s deployment in December of 2013, First Sergeant Wells received orders to Company A, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. where he completed two Ceremonial Parade Seasons before transferring to the Presidential Retreat, Camp David to serve as the Marine Security Company First Sergeant.

Sergeant Major Wells was promoted to his present rank in April of 2016 reporting to 3rd Marine Raider Battalion (MRB), MARSOC at Camp Lejeune to serve as the Battalion Sergeant Major.  From April 2017 to October 2017 Sergeant Major Wells deployed with Special Operations Task Force–North (SOTF-North) in support of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Iraq (CJSOTF–I) and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE during the clearance of western Mosul and the defeat of ISIS in Northern Iraq.  Upon SOTF-North’s return from deployment, he resumed his duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 3rd MRB until his reassignment to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369) in March of this year.