Both teams were relegated from the Coca-Cola Championship at the end of last season and as they came head-to-head for the first time in League One, their overall objective was the same - to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Forest had already endured three league defeats in their opening four games but they were worthy winners against Gillingham.
Their strike partnership of David Johnson and Scott Dobie helped themselves to a goal each in the first half and although Darren Byfield gave Gillingham a glimmer of hope with a goal 16 minutes from time, Forest substitute Spencer Weir-Daley put the result beyond doubt.
It took Forest just 60 seconds to conjure up the first attempt on goal, although Johnson's speculative 40-yard effort landed well wide.
Gills hit Forest on the break on five minutes when Andy Hessenthaler chipped the ball over Gino Padula on the right flank before playing the ball in field to Byfield.
His first-time pass found Steve Hislop in space on the right flank and Wes Morgan had to be on his toes to head his cross away for a corner.
Gillingham were stunned two minutes later though as Forest broke the deadlock. The lively Kris Commons slipped Johnson through on goal from a central position and he had all the time in the world to slot past Jason Brown into the bottom corner.
Gillingham's responded when Matt Jarvis put in an inviting in-swinging cross from the left and Hislop headed wide and he went even closer on the half hour mark, this time finding the side netting.
Forest put themselves firmly in control two minutes before the break when Dobie tapped in from close range following Commons' right-wing corner.
Gillingham pushed three up front in the 73rd minute in a bid to salvage something from the game and it seemed to do the trick as Byfield danced his way through the Forest defence to score on 78 minutes.
But their celebrations were cut short when Weir-Daley headed home from close range to settle it.