Master Sergeant Robin Kennedy, son of Randall and Nancy Kennedy of Climax, Georgia and grandson of Bobby and Gerda Strickland has successfully retired from the United States Marine Corps.

His career began in June of 1998, when he reported to basic training at Marine Corp Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating Recruit Training and Marine Combat training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he reported to Bravo Company, Marine Corps Communications Electronics School in Twenty-nine Palms, California to attend Field Radio Operator’s Course where he obtained his primary Military Occupation Skill (MOS) of 2531.

Private First-Class Kennedy was deployed to Okinawa, Japan. In November 2001 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and reenlisted to continue his journey as a Marine .

In January 2003, Sergeant Kennedy deployed to Kuwait as a Platoon Sergeant, Embark NCO, and Commanding Generals Radio Operator in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Assigned to the 1st Marine

Ex pedit ionar y Force, CG team, in March of 2003, Kennedy began the “March to Baghdad” in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned home in September 2003 .

In November 2004 Kennedy graduated Recruiters School and reported to Recruiting Station Atlanta, 6th Marine Corps District and assigned to Recruiting Sub Station, Gainsville, Ga. Kennedy served as canvassing recruiter and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2006.

In January 2008, Staff Sergeant Kennedy reported to CLR-17 on board Camp Pendleton, CA and immediately volunteered for deployment as a

Military Training-Team member. Kennedy was deployed to Iraq in support of OIF where he was assigned to Border Transition Team,· training the Iraqi Border Patrol along the Syrian Border in Al Anbar Province. After serving a 7-month deployment, Kennedy returned and was assigned to Radio Platoon, Communications Company, CLR-17. In November 2009, Staff Sergeant Kennedy was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and received his next appointment as Communications Chief, Combat Logistics Battalion 13.

In May of 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Kennedy reported to CLB-13 and began to prepare for his 5t h deployment with 13t h Marine Expeditionary Unit and deployed in February 2011. During this deployment, Kennedy was assigned to the USS Boxer detachment and served as Communications Chief and Landing Support Detachment for Evacuation Control Center in the country of Jordan. While on this deployment Kennedy had the opportunity to visit 5 new countries and cross the equator making him rightfully known as a Shellback.

Upon his return to California in September of 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Kennedy received orders to pt Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA where he was assigned to the Remain Behind Element. In March 2012, he returned to Iraq for 6 months in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom” where he served as RBE Communications Chief and RBE 1st Sergeant.

He reported to the 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines lnspector -Instructor Duty where he served as Communications Chief, Equal Opportunity Advisor and Military Funerals SNCO.

In October 2013, Kennedy attended Communications Chief Course where he graduated as an honor graduate being recognized and adopted into the Marine Corps Communications Electronics School

“Comm Pirates” charter. In March 2016, -Gunnery Sergeant Kennedy was promoted to his present rank of Master Sergeant.

In June 2016, Master Sergeant Kennedy reported for duty to 1st Battalion 7t h Marine Division where he was appointed Battalion Communications Chief. Kennedy led his Marines as he prepared for his 6t h deployment of his career. In April 2017 Kennedy deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Having elements of 1/7 throughout 5 separate counties and 9 remote locations Kennedy had the opportunity to travel to Al Asad, Iraq and Shadadi, Syria.

While deployed Master Sergeant Kennedy also earned his Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Computer Information Systems with concentrations of Software Engineering, Data Management and Network Security.

Master Sergeant Kennedy’s personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and three gold stars and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Master Sergeant Kennedy has two children Katelyn and Cole. They all currently live in Menifee, California.

Master Sergeant Kennedy still remembers his days in the ROTC at Bainbridge High School from 1987-1988 and thanks Col. Breedlove and Sgt. Geslack for showing him the opportunities available outside of Bainbridge.