Colonel Gallegos, a member of the Class of 1977, completed his high school career with a gold cord and was a three-year letter winner in cross country and track. Upon graduation, Gallegos accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy.

His military tours have included assignments with the Intercontinental Ballistic Missle, the Peacekeeper; and the Pentagon, as Air Staff Training Officer working as a Strategic Missle Analyst at the Air Force Center for Studies and Analyses. Colonel Gallegos' many military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.