CWO3 Nichols’ career in the Marine Corps started when he enlisted at the age of 19. He is a 2002 graduate from Westford Academy, Westford Massachusetts. He reported to Parris Island, SC for recruit training in July of 2002 as a Private. Upon successful graduation of Recruit Training, Private Nichols was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class. Following Recruit Training, PFC Nichols was assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC for Marine Combat Training. He attended the Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. PFC Nichols graduated as the distinguished Honor Graduate earning a meritorious promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal. LCpl Nichols was then assigned to Corrections (5831) School, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX.
In August 2003, LCpl Nichols checked into the Quantico Base Brig, Virginia. There he assumed the billets of Duty Brig Supervisor, Watch Supervisor, and Programs Clerk. While assigned to the Quantico Base Brig, LCpl Nichols was promoted to the rank of Corporal in February 2004. In February 2005 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In October 2005 Sgt Nichols attended the Basic Recruiters Course 1-06.
In December 2005, Sgt Nichols reported to Recruiting Station Portsmouth, NH. While assigned to Recruiting Sub-Station Brockton, MA Sgt Nichols served as a canvassing recruiter. In July 2008 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. After completing a successful tour on recruiting duty, SSgt Nichols was assigned to work at Headquarters Marine Corps, PSL Corrections as the Marine Corps Clemency and Parole Coordinator in Washington D.C.
From January - July 2011, SSgt Nichols volunteered for an Individual Augmentation billet at the Wounded Warrior Regiment, where he served as the Bethesda/Walter Reed Detachment Training Chief. SSgt Nichols implemented the first training and education curriculum for all Wounded Warriors, and his curriculum served as the Regiments model.
From January – June 2012, SSgt Nichols was selected to work for the Secretary of the Navy, Naval Clemency Parole Board at the Navy Yard, Washington D.C., where he served as the project manager responsible for rewriting the SecNav Instruction on Clemency and Parole.
In June 2012, SSgt Nichols reported to Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar, MCAS Miramar, California. In November 2012, SSgt Nichols was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. There he served as the Detachment GySgt, Parole and Release Coordinator, and Command Duty Officer. During his tour he was selected for the Warrant Officer Program, which he attended in January 2015 at Quantico, Virginia.
In June 2015 after completion of Warrant Officer Basic Course Warrant Officer Nichols reported to Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, South Carolina where he assumed the duties of the Deputy Director of Prisoner Management and the assistant Marine Detachment Commander.
In August 2018 CWO2 Nichols reported to HQMC, PP&O, PS Division, PSL Corrections where he served as the OIC of the Marine Corps Absentee Collection Center responsible for the Deserter Information Point in Washington, DC, and two Absentee Collection Units, Washington D.C. and San Diego CA. In December 2019, CWO2 Nichols was promoted to CWO3. During the Worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, CWO Nichols served as an Action Officer for the Marine Corps Crisis Action Team from March - May 2020. In May 2020, he was assigned as the Corrections Section Policy and Operations Officer where he served dual hatted as the OIC for the MCACC. In April 2021, CWO was appointed to his current billet as the Head of Marine Corps Corrections.
CWO Nichols holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Park University with distinction, a Masters Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
CWO Nichols’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.