First Sergeant James L. Kenrick was born in Houston, Texas. In 1986, he graduated from Cook High School in Adel, Georgia. In June 26th of 1985, First Sergeant Kenrick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and reported for Marine Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion “India” Company, Platoon 3073. Upon completion of recruit training, Private First Class Kenrick continued his MOS training at MATSG-90, NAS Memphis Millington, Tennessee attending Marine Aviation Ordnance “A” school. Upon completion of “A” school, Lance Corporal Kenrick was assigned to SOMS, MCAS Yuma, Arizona in 1987. After completion of the Intermediate Maintenance School, Lance Corporal Kenrick received all required licenses and was assigned to MAG-32/H&HS-32, NAS Cherry Point, North Carolina as a 6521, Aviation Ordnance Munitions Tech. While assigned to MAG-32,Lance Corporal Kenrick was promoted to Corporal an held the collateral duties of Safety NCO, Tool Room NCO, Hazardous Waste NCO and NCOIC of the Armament Weapons Support Equipment (AWSE) work center. Corporal Kenrick was stationed at Cherry Point from February 1987 until June 1992 after which time he transferred into the IRR and was honorably discharged in 1994. In May of 1998, Corporal Kenrick re-entered the United States Marine Corps as a Drilling Reservist and was attached to MALS-41/MAG-41 at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas. Corporal Kenrick was then assigned the MOS of 6541, holding the billet as an Aviation Ordnance Technician and QASO (Quality Assurance Safety Observer) within MALS-41 Ordnance Division. In 1999, Corporal Kenrick was promoted to the rank of Sergeant meritoriously. Sergeant Kenrick was then assigned as 71D work center supervisor. In August of 2003, Sergeant Kenrick was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In January 2004, Staff Sergeant Kenrick volunteered for activation orders to Iraq. While waiting for departure to Iraq, Staff Sergeant Kenrick attended the MAI (Martial Arts Instructor) course in December of 2004. Upon receiving the status of Green Belt Instructor, Staff Sergeant Kenrick immediately started training Marines in the MCMAP program and instructing new combat techniques to MAG-41 Marine personnel. In 2005, Staff Sergeant Kenrick deployed forward to Al Asad, Iraq were he served as the Night Crew Munitions work-center SNCOIC. During CY2008, The Commandant of the Marine Corps tasked 4th Marine Air Wing to provide the key supporting elements for the newly implemented pre-deployment exercise Mojave Viper. VMFA-112 was directed to support several Mojave Viper exercises in 2008, GySgt Kenrick volunteered, and again assisted MALS-41 with necessary leadership to train and supervise the safe build-up of 240 tons of munitions. When the initial mobilization orders request came to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 41 needing volunteers to augment MALS-11 for deployment to OIF 8.2, GySgt Kenrick volunteered and immediately began preparations for the Ordnance Department to effectively conduct successful combat operations. While deployed with MALS-16, GySgt Kenrick was assigned as the Staff Non-Commission Officer In Charge (SNCOIC) Night Crew Munitions. During his tour, he served as the MALS-16 Detachment SNCOIC at Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP), COP Rawah, Iraq. He served also as a Quality Assurance/Safety Observer (QASO) for combat aviation squadrons in the Al Anbar Province During deployment movements, GySgt Kenrick was assigned Plane Commander, in charge of manifest for travel of over 200 Marines to Al Anbar Province. Again called to volunteer for OIF 9.2, GySgt Kenrick quickly coordinated personnel requirements for intermediate maintenance levels to successfully augment MALS-26 FWD. During pre-deployment training at MCAS Miramar and NAS JRB Fort Worth, GySgt Kenrick was quickly assigned as the MALS-41 Detachment SNCOIC for all MALS-41 deployment personnel. While assigned to MALS-26 FWD in support of OIF 9.2, GySgt Kenrick was billeted has the Night Crew Munitions Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge (NCOIC) of the largest Marine Forward Operating Base (FOB) aviation Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) in Iraq ensuring uninterrupted, around-the-clock ordnance support to MAG-26 (REIN) squadrons at Al Asad Air Base and Forward Operating Bases Al Taqaddum. Gunnery Sergeant Kenrick returned back to CONUS in December 2009 after a successful OIF deployment. Then in 2010 GySgt Kenrick volunteered and was activated to participate in OEF 1-1 in Afghanistan. Returning a back to conus in 2011. GySgt Kenrick was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant. On June 1, 2012 First Sergeant Kenrick was assigned to Fox Company 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines in Salt Lake City, Utah. First Sergeant Kenrick’s personal awards include: 1 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal,1 Presidential Unit Citation-Navy, 3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals,4 Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medals,2 Armed Forces Reserve Medals (Bronze Hour Glass & “M” device),2 Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals,3 Iraq Campaign Medals,2 Afghanistan Campaign Medals,1 Nato – ISAF Afghanistan,2 National Defense Service Medals,1 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,1 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,2 Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations,5 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons,2 Navy Unit Commendation,1 Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award),1 Meritorious Mast,1 Letter of Appreciation