Colonel Thomas J. Cleaver is from Long Island, New York and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1998.

As a company grade officer, he served as a Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander at Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28, Faculty Advisor at the Communications Officer School, Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General of Training and Education Command, and Company Commander and Battalion Operations Officer for 8th Communication Battalion. In 2007, he deployed as the Battalion Operations Officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06.08.

As a field grade officer, Colonel Cleaver served as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Detroit, MAGTF Planner for 3d Marine Division, Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 18, Alliance Planner for Combined Forces Command, Korea, and Assistant Chief of Staff G-6 for 3d Marine Division, and Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group. Colonel Cleaver is currently the G-3 for Marine Forces Cyberspace Command.

Colonel Cleaver is a graduate of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, Naval Command and Staff College, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, and the Marine Corps War College. He holds a Masters in Information Systems from Boston University and a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and Marine Corps War College. He has been married to his wife Alicia for 20 years and they have three children.

Colonel Cleaver was the recipient of the General Gray Trophy for communications excellence. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.