Gunnery Sergeant Kim was born October 17, 1986 in Lexington, South Carolina and graduated from high school in Swansea, South Carolina.
Gunnery Sergeant Kim enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2009 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Echo Company. He reported to the School of Infantry Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Marine Combat Training November 2009. He was then assigned to the Personnel Administration School for Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training where he earned the MOS of 0151, Administration Clerk.
In January 2010, Private First Class Kim reported for duty at Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in March 2010. He served as an Admin Clerk for the IPAC Separations section. He was then promoted to the rank of Corporal in April 2012 and served as the NCOIC of the IPAC TAD Section.
In April 2013, Corporal Kim reported for duty to the Inspector-Instructor Staff, Engineer Company Charlie, Peoria, IL. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January 2014. While assigned to I&I, Engineer Company C, Sergeant Kim served as the Admin Chief for all Reserve and Active Duty administrative matters.
In April 2016, Sergeant Kim reported to Drill Instructor School Class 3-16, Marine Corps Recruit Depot aboard Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Kim reported to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Company D. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in April 2017. During his time at MCRD Parris Island, Staff Sergeant Kim served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Battalion S-4 Chief.
Upon a successful tour at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, Staff Sergeant Kim reported for duty to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in July 2019. He served as the IPAC Inbound SNCOIC. In February 2020, Staff Sergeant Kim reported for duty to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363), Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he served as the Admin Chief. He was then promoted to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant in April 2021. In April 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Kim deployed with VMM-363 in support of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, Australia.
In September 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Kim received orders to MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina for his second tour. Upon completion of the Drill Instructor School Course Challenger, he was assigned to the Third Recruit Training Battalion, Company M where he served as a Chief Drill Instructor for two cycles and filled the billet of Company First Sergeant for a partial cycle in a gapped billet. In July 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Kim was selected to serve as the Advanced Curriculum Instructor for Drill Instructor School where he was solely responsible for teaching the Experienced, Senior, and Chief Drill Instructor courses. He then served as the Academics Coordinator for Drill Instructor School. In July 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Kim assumed his current billet as Chief Instructor of Drill Instructor School.
Gunnery Sergeant Kim's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold start in Lieu of 2nd Award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in Lieu of 2nd Award.