Military Entrance Processing Station

Major Cherish M. Joostberns

United States Marine Corps
Commander, Louisville Military Entrance Processing Station

Major Cherish M. Joostberns is the commander of the Louisville Military Entrance Processing Station.

Major Joostberns attended Marine Corps Officer Candidates School through the Platoon Leaders Class Program in 1994. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., she received her commission as a second lieutenant in 1995. She completed The Basic School at Quantico, Va., in 1996 and then completed the Motor Transport Officers Course. Her first duty assignment was with Combat Service Support Group 3, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where she served as the motor transport platoon commander and executive officer. During this period she deployed to Pohakuloa Training Area, South Korea and Australia in support of various exercises. She later served as logistics officer with Combat Service Support Group 3 until 1999. Major Joostberns was next assigned to Philadelphia, where she served in recruiting duty as an officer selection officer. In 2002, she completed Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Va. She was next was assigned to Marine Air Group 12, Iwakuni, Japan, as assistant logistics officer, deploying in support of exercises in South Korea and Thailand. Major Joostberns was later transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 serving as logistics officer and deployed to South Korea and also supported humanitarian operation preparations after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. In 2005, Major Joostberns transferred to Marine Corps Forces Pacific, where she served as Headquarters Company training officer and company commander, serving as the Headquarters and Service Battalion camp commandant for multiple exercises in South Korea and Thailand and establishing the initial headquarters footprint for Marine Corps Forces Pacific, in Thailand after the 2008 Myanmar cyclone. She next served as assistant for officer procurement with 4th Marine Corps District, Eastern Recruiting Region, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, and was responsible for the officer recruitment mission for the district. She later served an additional year as the logistics officer for the 4th Marine Corps District. She assumed command of the Louisville Military Entrance Processing Station in June 2012.

Her professional military education includes the Air Movement Planning Course, Ground Operations Officer Course, Officer Selection Officer Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, Tactical Logistics Officer Course, Advanced Logistics Officer Course and Command and Staff College. Major Joostberns earned a bachelor of science degree in Russian and Eastern European studies from the University of Michigan in 1995 and is pursuing a master of science degree in community and economic development from Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa.

Major Joostberns' military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and service medals and ribbons.