Sergeant Major Kern attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island South Carolina where he was a recruit of
2nd Battalion, Echo Company, Platoon 2075. Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to Marine Combat Training, Camp
Geiger, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training, he was assigned the Military Occupational
Specialty of 3051, Supply Warehouse Clerk and was promoted to the rank of Private First Class in December of 2002.
Private First Class Kern was then assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, Maintenance
Battalion, where he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return in October of 2003, he returned to
Maintenance Battalion where he worked as a supply warehouse clerk and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in
September of 2003. In January 2004, Lance Corporal Kern deployed to Iraq with Combat Logistics Regiment 7, in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in Camp Taquaddum and Camp Al Asad as a warehouse clerk. He was promoted to the rank of
Corporal in February of 2005. In January of 2006, Corporal Kern returned to Iraq for his final deployment where he spent 15
months in Al Qaim Iraq where he served as a warehouse chief at which point Corporal Kern was combat meritoriously promoted to
the rank of Sergeant in February of 2007.
Upon his return to the United States, Sergeant Kern was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve New Orleans Louisiana where he served
as a warehouse chief in May of 2007. In September of 2009 Sergeant Kern received orders to Combined Arms Training Center Camp
Fuji Japan where he would serve as a supply warehouse chief. In September of 2010 Sergeant Kern received orders to Parris Island
South Carolina where he served as drill instructor 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Echo Company. Sergeant Kern served in billets of
drill instructor, senior drill Instructor, and chief drill instructor and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in
January of 2013. Staff Sergeant Kern received orders to 3d Battalion 12th Marines in Okinawa Japan where he filled to billet of
warehouse chief and substance abuse control officer. During his time with 3/12, Staff Sergeant Kern also served in a billet of
bilateral coordination center Staff Noncommissioned Officer where his primary duty was to be a liaison between the Japanese
Ground Self Defense Force and the battalion commander.
In January of 2016 Staff Sergeant Kern was assigned to Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, G-4
Logistics where he served as a supply and maintenance analysis inspector, G-4 Logistics Chief, and supply warehouse chief. Staff
Sergeant Kern was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in January of 2017 and in February of 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Kern
received orders to Rice University to serve as the assistant Marine officer instructor to the Houston Consortium. During his time at
Rice University, he spent 4 summers in Quantico Virginia as an augment for Officer Candidates School where he served as a
sergeant instructor and platoon sergeant. During his time as an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor, he was selected as the Naval
Service Training Command Marine of The Year.
Gunnery Sergeant Kern was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant in February of 2021 and received orders to 1st Battalion, 3d
Marines where he served as the unit senior enlisted leader for Charlie Company. In February of 2023, First Sergeant Kern received
orders to Marine Barracks Washington where he served as the senior enlisted leader for Headquarters and Service Company.
Sergeant Major Kern was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major in May of 2024 and received orders to Marine Corps Air Station
Iwakuni where he served as the command senior enlisted leader for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. Sergeant Major
Kern received permanent change of assignment orders to VMGR-152 and reported for duty on June 3d 2026 where he currently
serves as the command senior enlisted leader.
Sergeant Major Kern holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and is currently pursuing his Master of Arts in homeland security
and emergency disaster management. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of 2nd
award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 4 gold stars in lieu of 5th award, and the Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal with 4 gold stars in lieu of 5th award.