Brad Reilly was born in 1971 in Phoenix, Arizona. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on June 7, 1988, and completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, California, in August 1988. Sgt Reilly served as a Combat Engineer with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion of the Marine Corps Reserve in Phoenix, Arizona, from August 1988 until he went on active duty in the Marine Corps on April 19, 1990, and he then served as an Engineer Equipment Operator with the 1st Landing Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California, from April 1990 to August 1994. During this time he deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield from August 1990 to January 1991, he served as a Marine Corps Fire Team Leader during Operation Desert Storm from January to April 1991, and he served as a Marine Squad Leader deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, for Operation Restore Hope from December 1992 to March 1993. His next assignment was as a Platoon Sergeant with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 of the 3rd Marine Air Wing at Iwakuni, Japan, from August 1994 to August 1995, followed by service as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor with India Company, 3rd Marine Recruit Training Battalion at MCRD San Diego from August 1995 to July 1998. His final assignment in the Marine Corps was as Training Chief for Weapons and Tactics back with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 at Iwakuni, Japan, from July 1998 until he left the Marine Corps on July 13, 2001. Brad next enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Tech Sergeant on November 15, 2001, and completed training as a Combat Controller from November 2001 to September 2002. He served as a Combat Controller and Joint Terminal Attack Controller with the 23d Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, from September 2002 to June 2008, and during this time he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April to July 2004, from February to April 2005, and from September 2007 to January 2008. SMSgt Reilly next served as a Combat Control Flight Superintendent with the 321st Special Tactics Squadron of the 352d Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall, England, from June 2008 to June 2011, followed by service as Instructor Supervisor for Combat Control and as Squadron Superintendent for the 334th Training Squadron of the 81st Training Group at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, from July 2011 to October 2013. He served as Director of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy at MacDill AFB, Florida, from October 2013 to March 2017, and then as Senior Enlisted Leader of the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, from April 2017 to June 2018. Chief Master Sergeant Reilly's final assignment was as Senior Enlisted Leader for Presidential Airlift at Andrews AFB, Maryland, from June 2018, until his retirement from the Air Force on January 1, 2020.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

For gallantry in action against an armed enemy on 11 April 2005, while serving as the Combat Controller assigned to Operational Detachment Alpha 163, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Technical Sergeant Reilly was part of a quick reaction force that was moving to reinforce Afghan Security Forces in contact within the Khowst-Gardez pass, a historical enemy safe haven. His actions under overwhelming direct enemy fire saved the lives of two men and were instrumental in the survival of other American and host nation Soldiers. Technical Sergeant Reilly's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan, and the United States Air Force.