A Pennsylvania native, LtCol Kyleigh M. Cullen attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in May 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and receiving a commission in the United States Marine Corps. After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, she attended The Basic School and subsequently reported to Pensacola, FL for flight training. In March 2011, she completed flight training and reported to HMHT-302 for follow on training as a CH-53E pilot.
In September 2011, First Lieutenant Cullen reported to HMH-461 for her first fleet assignment. While assigned to HMH-461 she deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 13.1 and served in a variety of billets including Adjutant, Legal Officer, S-1 Officer, Operations Schedule Writer, and Command Historian. In 2014, Captain Cullen joined VMM-365 (REIN) where she served as the CH-53E Quality Assurance Officer while participating in Exercise Bold Alligator and deploying in support of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. After the MEU deployment, Captain Cullen returned to HMH-461 where she served as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer and participated in Exercise Raven 16-03 and Integrated Training Exercises 3-16 and 4-16.
In October 2016, Captain Cullen reported to MATSG-21 and HT-8 as an advanced rotary wing flight instructor. In addition to her duties as a standardization instructor, she attended the aviation safety officer course and served in billets including Current Operations Officer, Safety Department Head, and Operations Officer. During Academic Year 2019-2020, Major Cullen attend resident Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University and graduated with a Master's of Military Studies. After graduation, she reported to MAG-29 where she served as the Future Operations Officer and Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) Action Officer while the MAG exercised site command for SLTE 3-21. Following SLTE, Major Cullen reported to HMH-366 where she served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and participated in Cold Response 2022.
In May 2022, Major Cullen reported to the Manpower Management Officer Assignments Branch of Manpower & Reserve Affairs for assignment as the Rotary Wing Majors Monitor. After serving with MMOA, Lieutenant Colonel Cullen reported to MCAS Miramar where she served with MAG-16 prior to assuming command of HMH-361. On 18 November 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Cullen assumed command of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 where she currently serves as the Commanding Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Cullen has accumulated over 2,700 mishap-free flight hours and her personal decorations include the Strike/Flight Air Medal with numeral 4, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.