Brigadier General Castellvi is from Chicago, IL, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps through the NROTC program in May 1984 following his graduation from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.
After completion of The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2d Marines where he served from 1985-88 as Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander, and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander. During this tour, he completed a Cold Weather deployment cycle to Norway, a WESTPAC deployment, and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean with the 24th MEU(SOC), participating in Operation EARNEST WILL.
From 1988-91, he served as Platoon Commander and Executive Officer for Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Atlantic in Norfolk, VA where he deployed to combat in support of JTF-Panama, in addition to numerous short-duration security operations in the U.S. and abroad. Following this tour, he attended the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advance Course at Ft Benning, GA, completing the course as the Distinguished Graduate.
From 1991-94, BGen Castellvi served as Rifle Company Commander, Weapons Company Commander, and Battalion Operations Officer for 2d Battalion, 9th Marines in Camp Pendleton, CA, deploying to combat with the 15th MEU(SOC) to Somalia for Operation RESTORE HOPE and to the Arabian Gulf for the Peacekeeping Phase of Operation DESERT STORM.
BGen Castellvi was assigned to Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, VA in 1994 where he served as Project Officer and Asst. Program Manager for Anti-armor Weapons. During this tour, he earned a MS Degree in Systems Management from Capitol College and the additional MOS as an Acquisition Professional Officer. From 1997-99, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and School of Advanced Warfighting, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate and earning a MMS Degree in Military Studies.
From 1999-2001, BGen Castellvi served as the CENTCOM Theater Plans Chief for Marine Forces Pacific and Marine Forces Central Command. In July 2001, he assumed command of 2d Battalion, 3d Marines. During his two years in command, the battalion completed a WESTPAC deployment cycle and participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in both the Arabian Gulf and the Republic of the Philippines.
In 2003, BGen Castellvi returned to Virginia and attended the National Defense University, earning a MS Degree in Industrial Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. From 2004-2006, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a National Defense Strategist and as Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
In 2006, BGen Castellvi assumed command of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division. From 2007-08, he deployed to combat for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as the Senior Advisor to the 1st Iraqi Army Division in Al Anbar, Iraq. He participated in counterinsurgency operations as a combat advisor throughout Iraq, from Al Anbar to Basra to Mosul. Upon return to Camp Pendleton, he assumed the duties as Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Division. In 2010-11, he deployed again to combat with the 1st Marine Division Fwd to Afghanistan for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and served as the Chief of Staff for Task Force Leatherneck. Upon return from deployment, BGen Castellvi assumed the duties as Chief of Staff for I Marine Expeditionary Force, remaining in that assignment until June of 2013 when he was promoted to his current rank.
BGen Castellvi was the 1993 recipient of the Leftwich Trophy for leadership. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit w/ one Gold Star, Bronze Star w/Combat “V”, Meritorious Service Medal w/ three Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ two Gold Stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon w/ one Gold Star.