A native of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Major Jay Antonelli, USMC (ret) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May of 1992, with a BS in Chemistry. Upon completion of The Basic School in 1993, he reported to the 3rd LAAM BN, Cherry Point, N.C. where he served as an air-artillery platoon commander.
In 1994 he was assigned to the All-Marine Wrestling team in Quantico, Va. where he served as the officer in charge while competing for the Marine Corps in both national and international events. His accomplishments include an Armed Forces championship, 3-Time All-American honors and a 7th place finish at the 1996 Olympic trials.
In August of 1997, Major Antonelli was selected to be the head coach of the Marine Corps wrestling team. He was named USA Wrestling's "Coach of the Year" during his first full season as head coach in 1998. During his tenure as head coach, he led his team to an Armed Forces Championship and a National Title. He has coached eight individual national champions, one world bronze-medalist and one Pan American Champion. He was selected to be an assistant coach of the 2000 US Olympic team, Sydney Australia, which produced three medals for Team USA. Further, he was selected to coach and lead the US World and Olympic teams seven times. During his tour, he received a Master's of Science degree in Exercise, Fitness and Health Promotion from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
In July of 2001, while still serving as the Marine wrestling coach, Major Antonelli attended the Defense Information School, at Ft Meade, Md. and became a public affairs officer.
In July of 2004, Major Antonelli deployed to Baghdad Iraq and served as the media chief for Multi National Force-Iraq. As the media chief, Major Antonelli was responsible for the transportation and credentialing of all journalists in Iraq, as well as, the accuracy of information they released to the public.
Upon returning from Iraq in 2005, Major Antonelli was assigned to the Joint Public Affairs Support Element (JPASE) located in Suffolk, Va. There, he served as an observer/trainer providing strategic communication training for Joint Task Forces and combatant command staffs. While assigned to JPASE Major Antonelli continued to coach and work with USA Wrestling, implementing a leadership program for coaches on behalf of the Marine Corps.
In March of 2007, Maj Antonelli deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan where he escorted media throughout the country and assisted NATO with their communication strategy.
In September of 2007 Major Antonelli led the US Greco-Roman team to their first ever World Team title in Baku Azerbaijan and again received USA Wrestling's "Coach of the Year" award.
In 2008, Major Antonelli was selected to represent the Marine Corps and coach the 2008 Greco-Roman Olympic Wrestling team in Beijing, China which produced a bronze medal.
In September of 2008 Major Antonelli was assigned to Joint Task Force-Civil Support at Ft Monroe, Va. where he served as the J37 Exercise Chief and was responsible for the readiness of the Task Force in case of a North American catastrophe.
In August of 2009, Major Antonelli was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy where he served as the Officer in Charge of the Physical Mission.
Major Antonelli retired from the Marine Corps in May of 2012 and currently works as the Director of the Physical Education Department at the United States Naval Academy where he leads the Plebe Summer Physical Education Program, serves as a martial arts instructor, and is an assistant coach of the Naval Academy Wrestling team.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendation Medals and the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
He and wife Ingrid, have three children, Frank, Nikolas and Emma.
