Master Sergeant Birch was born on September 8, 1983, in Pocatello, Idaho. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 9, 2003, and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon graduation, he attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, where he was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0311, Infantry Rifleman.
In August 2003, Master Sergeant Birch was promoted to Private First Class and reported to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, Okinawa, Japan, in November of that year. He then attended Ground Sensor School in Norfolk, Virginia, and was awarded the MOS of Ground Sensor Operator. In February 2004, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
In October 2004, Master Sergeant Birch was assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), where he deployed to Iraq. During this deployment, he served as a sensor operator, rifleman, and driver with the Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, operating from Ramadi to Haditha in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Master Sergeant Birch was promoted to Corporal in November 2005 and was subsequently assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. There, he was attached to the 11th MEU and deployed to Husaybah, Iraq, in 2006. He was promoted to Sergeant in November 2007 before returning home. In 2008, he deployed again to Fallujah, Iraq, for the drawdown of forces. During his time with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Sergeant Birch held the billets of Rifleman, Team Leader, and Squad Leader.
In July 2010, Master Sergeant Birch received orders to attend Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon graduation, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, Company I, where he served as both a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. In January 2013, he was reassigned to Support Battalion, Instructional Training Company, Water Survival Section, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he served as a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival.
In September 2013, Master Sergeant Birch reported to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant in Lima Company, Small Boat Company. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in December 2013 and deployed with V35 to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the 31st MEU. After returning from deployment, he was reassigned as a section leader in a Combined Anti-Armor Tank Platoon, Weapons Company. Later, he was selected to serve as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for the Command Element of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) 16.2, deploying for nine months in Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In November 2017, Master Sergeant Birch reported to Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. He served as a Sergeant Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, and Academics Instructor. After completing nine cycles and 36 months at Officer Candidates School, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
In March 2021, Master Sergeant Birch reported to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, where he served as the H&S Company Gunnery Sergeant. He deployed with the unit as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Okinawa. Upon returning, Master Sergeant Birch was hand-selected as the Battalion Assistant Operations Chief. Later, the battalion was redesignated as the 3rd Littoral Combat Team, and on October 1, 2022, Master Sergeant Birch was promoted to his current rank. In August 2023, he was assigned to I MEF Information Group as the Current Operations Chief. In July 2025, MSgt Birch assumed his current position as the Chief Instructor of Drill Instructor School Parris Island.
Master Sergeant Birch’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of a second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of a second award. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Management from American Military University. Master Sergeant Birch is married to Verna Jasmine Birch of Oceanside, California, and they have three children: Daniel, Logan, and Stella