Major Richard P McKenzie (BIO) Major McKenzie completed his undergraduate education in 2001 at The Citadel, earning a Bachelor of Art in Political Science. He was then commissioned a Second Lieutenant and reported to The Basic School in June of 2001.
After completing Infantry Officer Course, he reported to 3d Battalion 8th Marines (Anti-terrorist Battalion) for duty as the Weapons Platoon Commander, Kilo Company. As a platoon commander, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan in spring of 2002. While in Japan he re-deployed to the Persian Gulf as a ship board security detachment commander for CTF-53 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.
In 2004, Major McKenzie deployed to Haiti as the Executive Officer for Task Force Kilo in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow.
In 2005, he deployed to Iraq in support of OIF 4-6 as the Executive Officer of Kilo Company 3/8 and also served as the Forward Operating Base Commander at Camp India. In November 2005, he was assigned to Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji. While at Camp Fuji, he served as the base Range Control Officer, Anti-Terrorist Officer and the base Operations Officer.
In December 2006, Major McKenzie reported to the School of Infantry for duty at Marine Combat Training Battalion. While at MCT he severed as the Echo and India Company Commander. He was later selected to serve at the Advanced Infantry Training
Company and Battalion as the Operations Officer and the Executive Officer of the Instructor Training Company. In 2009, he was selected for and attended the Army’s infantry/Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, Ga for resident PME.
In 2010, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion 7th Marines. While at 2nd Battalion 7th Marines he deployed to the 31st MEU for two deployments. The first was in 2010 as the Battalion Landing Teams Assistant Operations Officer and Helo Company Commander (Company E) and again in 2011 as the Helo Company Commander (Company E).
In 2012, Major McKenzie received orders to Fort Benning, Ga for Airborne school and immediately to III MEF Special Operations Training Group where he served as the Special Missions Branch OIC and Operations Officer.
In 2015, Major McKenzie received orders to 1st Battalion 3d Marines where he served as Operations and Executive Officer. While with the battalion he deployed to Okinawa as part of the UDP.
In October 2016, he was reassigned to MARFORPAC where he served as the Expeditionary Operations OIC and lead MARFORPAC planner for Marine Rotational Forces Darwin.
In 2018, Major McKenzie received orders to serve as the Commanding Officer for Marine Security Forces Company, Guantanamo Bay Cuba.
His personal decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal, The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with silver star (in lieu of 6th award), Combat Action Ribbon w/1 gold star (in lieu of 2nd award), the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.