Colonel Kevin Clark enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1989 as an infantryman. Following initial training, he augmented Anti-Tank Co, 2d Tank Battalion as a TOW Gunner and deployed in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Upon graduation from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1995, he was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course and became an infantry officer. From 1996-1999, he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer in 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, participating in deployments to Panama and Okinawa Japan.
From 2003-2004, he served as a Rifle Company Commander with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines and deployed to Okinawa, Japan and Port au Prince, Haiti. In Haiti, he participated in Operation SECURE TOMORROW to restore order in the wake of an attempted coup. From 2004-2006, he served as Assistant Operations Officer for Regimental Combat Team 8 and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), serving as the Iraqi Security Force Coordinator. From 2007-2008, he served as Battalion Executive Officer for 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines and deployed to Haditha, Iraq in support of OIF. From 2010-2011 he served as Future Operations Officer for 2nd Marine Division (FWD) and deployed to Helmand Province in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). He commanded 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2011-2014 and deployed again to Helmand Province in support of OEF.
His service in the supporting establishment includes: Company Commander and Aide de Camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego (1999-2002); Inspector-Instructor, Little Rock, Arkansas (2006-2009). He completed a joint assignment with U.S. Strategic Command (2015-2018) serving as a Branch Chief in the Plans & Policy Directorate, Deputy Executive Assistant to the Commander, and Deputy Director for the Commander’s Action Group.
In addition to The Basic School and the Infantry Officers Course, Colonel Clark is a graduate of the Summer Mountain Leader Course, Jungle Warfare School, Expeditionary Warfare School, and U.S. Army Command & General Staff College. In 2015, he completed a Fellowship at Yale University.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device and two gold stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with two gold stars.