WASHINGTON - A native of Forest City, N.C., was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Feb. 1.
Sgt. Jesse Kendrick, 26, enlisted in the Corps May 2006, and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He arrived at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 2012 and currently serves as a financial management resource analyst for the Barracks.
The rank of Sergeant is the second noncommissioned officer rank in the Corps and is an important position of leadership. NCOs obtain their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks.
“It’s an accomplishment. With rank comes privileges, but also responsibility,” said Kendrick when asked about his promotion. “I look forward to living up to that responsibility.”
While stationed at the Barracks, Kendrick helps account for the Barracks financial matters.
Prior to the Barracks, Kendrick was assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan. While there, he traveled to the Philippines, as well as supported numerous exercises and humanitarian missions, including Operation Tomodachi, which provided humanitarian and disaster relief to earthquake victims in Japan in 2011.
Kendrick plans on staying in the Corps as long as possible and eventually become a recruiter.
His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with a bronze star in lieu of second award, National Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service ribbons with four bronze stars in lieu of fifth award.
Barracks Marines support ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s Capital. Each year, the Marines support more than 30 parades and hundreds of ceremonies and functions to include funerals and sporting events across the country and globe while maintaining proficiency in their respective military occupations and meeting their annual Marine Corps training requirements.