Gunnery Sergeant Kirk was born on 14 September 1989 in Laguna Hills, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 2009 and graduated from recruit training in San Diego, California. He attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California, graduating as platoon guide. He received military occupational specialty training in Pensacola, Florida, and reported to Jacksonville, North Carolina, for secondary training. Upon graduation, he was assigned as a 6323 CH-53 Avionics Technician with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 (HMH-465), San Diego, California.
Less than four months after checking into the squadron, Lance Corporal Kirk was selected for Meritorious Corporal and was promoted in March of 2011. In June of 2011, Corporal Kirk deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to Okinawa, Japan, where he served as Corporal of the Guard for the 2011 Philippines-U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercise and was subsequently selected as the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter. Corporal Kirk was awarded an Impact Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance on the 31st MEU.
Upon his return to HMH-465, Corporal Kirk became a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor in May 2012. He obtained his Collateral Duty Inspector qualification as a Corporal and was assigned as a Shift Supervisor. Following his Collateral Duty Inspector qualification, he obtained flight orders and began working as an Aerial Observer. Corporal Kirk deployed again with the 31st MEU in December of 2012, supporting Operations Cobra Gold, Thailand, and Sang-Young, South Korea. He was promoted to Sergeant in May of 2013.
Retuning to HMH-465, Sergeant Kirk assumed the role of SNCOIC due to staffing constraints within his work center. In 2014 Sergeant Kirk was awarded the James E. Nicholson Award by the Marine Corps Aviation Association. While Serving at HMH-465, Sergeant Kirk performed as a Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative, Avionics Day Crew Supervisor, Squadron Color Sergeant, and MCMAP Instructor. Sergeant Kirk was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his performance at HMH-465.
In November 2014, Sergeant Kirk was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 MCAS New River, North Carolina. He served as a CH-53E Avionics Technician Collateral Duty Inspector, and Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative. In addition, he served as Squadron Color Sergeant and MCMAP Instructor for HMH-461. Sergeant Kirk was awarded his second Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance at HMH-461.
In November 2018, Sergeant Kirk was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 MCAS New River, North Carolina. He served as a CH-53E Avionics Technician Collateral Duty Inspector, Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative, and Quality Assurance Representative. In October of 2020, Sergeant Kirk was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Kirk deployed with VMM-265(REIN) as part of the Aviation Combat Element with the 31st MEU from April 2021 to November 2021. During this deployment, Staff Sergeant Kirk performed his duties as the Quality Assurance SNCOIC for the CH-53E detachment. He participated in Operations Amphibious Integration Training and Certification Training. Staff Sergeant was awarded his third Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance on the 31st MEU.
In June of 2022, Staff Sergeant Kirk graduated from Drill Instructor School East and reported to Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. After completing three cycles as a Drill Instructor with Bravo Company Staff Sergeant Kirk was transferred to Fox Company 2nd Recruit Training Battalion where he was Meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in January of 2024. After completing one cycle as a Senior Drill Instructor and two cycles as a Chief Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Kirk was transferred to Drill Instructor School-East, Recruit Training Regiment, where he is currently serving as the Chief Instructor of Drill Instructor School.
Gunnery Sergeant Kirk's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of 4th award.