First Sergeant (1stSgt) Jacob W. Verschage was born in February, 1984 in Rochester, New York. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer and graduated Recruit Training at Parris Island in March of 2003. Upon completion of recruit training he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class and reported for training at Marine Combat Training (MCT), Camp Geiger, and the Basic Combat Engineer Course, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Combat Engineer Military Occupational Specialty of 1371 and was directed to report to Combat Assault Battalion, Okinawa, Japan. 
From June 2003 to August 2005 1stSgt Verschage served with Combat Assault Battalion. During this tour 1stSgt Verschage participated in several combined arms exercises in support of Battalion Landing Teams (BLT) operating in the Pacific and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In August of 2004 1stSgt Verschage attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of BLT 1st Battalion 3rd Marines. During this time he served with Charlie and Weapons Companies for Operation Phantom Fury as a Combat Engineer, Machine Gun Team Leader, and Provisional Infantryman. Upon completion of his tour in Okinawa, 1stSgt Verschage received orders to 7th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), Camp Pendleton, California. 
From July 2005 to June 2007 1stSgt Verschage served with Charlie Company, 7th ESB. During his tour he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) serving as Advanced Guard Sweeper and Survivability Team Leader. 1stSgt Verschage was regularly promoted to the rank of Corporal and meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant during this tour of duty. In June of 2007, 1stSgt Verschage received orders to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From July 2007 to December 2010, 1stSgt Verschage served in Charlie and Mobility Assault Company's. During this tour he deployed in support of OIF, and participated in operations Cobras Anger and Moshtarak in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as a Squad Leader, Platoon Guide, Atmospherics Lead, Security Section Leader and Platoon Sergeant. Upon completion of this tour he requested orders to Parris Island, South Carolina to serve as a Drill Instructor. From January 2010 to September 2013, 1stSgt Verschage served with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island South Carolina. During this tour he served as Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor for Lima Company and Chief Drill Instructor for Kilo Company. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant during this tour of duty. Upon successful tour he requested orders to The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia. From September 2013 to January 2016 1stSgt Verschage served at the Basic School as lead advisor and Company Gunnery Sergeant within the Basic Officers Course and was appointed as the Regimental Drill Master. During this tour he would assist company grade officers in the education and development of student lieutenants attending The Basic School. At the end of this tour he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and received orders to 2nd CEB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From January 2016 to January 2019, 1stSgt Verschage served with Charlie Company as Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant, and First Sergeant. He deployed in support of 2nd battalion 8th Marines Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, Black Sea Rotational Force where he served as Engineer Platoon Sergeant, Mil to Mil Chief and Exercise Chief. At the end of this tour 1stSgt Verschage was selected and frocked to his current rank and received orders to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion to serve as the Alpha Company First Sergeant, providing support for numerous training evolutions as the Senior Enlisted Advisor. Upon completion of this tour he received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island South Carolina where he has served as Company 1stSgt, Company A, and Sergeant Major of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. In January of 2022 he was selected to serve as the Drill Instructor School 1stSgt. During his career he has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security, and his personal decorations include: the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with (3) Gold Stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (3) Gold Stars, and combat device, the Drill Instructor ribbon and various unit and campaign awards.