Major John G. Kennedy attended Longwood University where he earned a scholarship playing intercollegiate soccer and a Bachelor of Science Degree. Following graduation in May 2003, Major Kennedy enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and shipped to Parris Island where he graduated as the honor-man of Platoon 1088, Bravo Company, First Recruit Training Battalion. Following basic training he was assigned the MOS of 0811, Field Artillery, with Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment in Richmond, Va.
In June 2004, Major Kennedy reported to Officer Candidate’s School in Quantico, Va. Upon graduation and commissioning, he completed follow-on assignments at The Basic School, Infantry Officer’s Course, and Assault Amphibian School’s Battalion (AAS Bn).
Following graduation from AAS Bn, Major Kennedy reported to Third Assault Amphibian Battalion (3D AABn) in Camp Pendleton, and deployed to Iraq as a Mobile Assault Platoon Commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 05-07. Upon completion of his OIF tour, Major Kennedy again deployed as the AAV Platoon Commander for Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 11th MEU (SOC).
Following his second of back-to-back deployments with 3D AABn, Major Kennedy received orders to Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk Va. He served as a Ground Operations Officer, Mission Assurance Officer, and Command Center OIC to Current Operation Section, G-3/5/7 from 2008 through 2011. After his tour at the MARFOR level, Major Kennedy was selected to attend resident education at the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course in Fort Benning, Ga.
Following Career Level School, Major Kennedy moved to Second Assault Amphibian Battalion (2D AABn) in Camp Lejeune, NC where he immediately deployed to Afghanistan for ten months as the Executive Officer and Operations Officer for the Provincial Police Advisor Team, II MEF (fwd) in Helmand Province. Upon return from Afghanistan, Major Kennedy subsequently commanded both Headquarters and Services, and Alpha Company, 2D AABn. During his time in command of Alpha Company, Major Kennedy was selected by the Commandant’s Professional Intermediate Education Board (CPIB) to attend the twelve month resident course at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI.
Following graduation from the Naval War College in June 2016, Major Kennedy moved to Galveston, TX to assume duties as Inspector-Instructor (I&I) for Charlie Company, 4th AABn, 4th Marine Division. The Company successfully supported high-visibility operational commitments such as the first iteration of the reserve Unit Deployment Program, and destructive weather/humanitarian response efforts to Hurricane Harvey; effectively laying the roadmap and proofing the concept for both efforts.
Following his tour on I&I duty, Major Kennedy assumed his current position as Executive Officer of Assault Amphibian School.
Major Kennedy earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Defense and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.