Show notes
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Jake McCormack enlisted into the delayed entry program of the United States Marine Corps in 2002 and shipped to MCRD San Diego in 2003. He graduated recruit training and reported to Assault Amphibian School Battalion, for training as an Amphibious Assault vehicle operator. Upon graduation, he received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for service with Bravo Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion. In April 2005, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 5, Team Gator.
In 2006, he re-deployed back to Camp Fallujah in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon return to the States, Jake served as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School and graduated Resident Professional Military Education, Martial Arts Instructor Course, and Amphibian Unit Leader Course. He was also submitted, and subsequently selected, for Meritorious promotion to Staff Sergeant.
His next assignment would take him to Dallas, Texas, where he served as both a canvassing recruiter and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of 2 different recruiting stations in the Dallas area. Upon completion of his tour of recruiting duty, he would receive orders to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
While serving at multiple units aboard the Air Station, Jake was selected again for promotion to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant. His final set of orders would take him to Kansas City, Mo to serve on the Inspector-Instructor staff for a Reserve unit.
During his time in Kansas City, Jake took charge as the coordinator for the Toys for Tots campaign of the greater Kansas City area for 2019 and 2020. He directly coordinated the efforts of over 600 volunteers and more than 500 local non-profits to raise and collect a combined total of over $1.5 million dollars of monetary and toy donations that were distributed to more than 75,000 local children.
In addition to this, Jake has served as a veteran Ambassador for the Boot Campaign, a nationally recognized veteran’s non-profit that supports programs to assist in health and wellness of our returning veterans. He has traveled all over the country speaking about the issues veterans face after returning home from deployments, as well as his own personal story dealing with the aftermath of combat.
He is deeply passionate about people and developing capable leaders that understand the burden of leadership as well as the responsibilities that go with it. He is a staunch believer that no other element of success is as critical as the ability to take care of your people, and to inspire them to do great things.
Over the course of his career, Jake has received 5 Navy and Marine Corps achievement medals, one with Combat distinguishing device for valor, a Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct medal with silver star (sixth award), and numerous unit awards. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife of 15 years and his 14-year-old son, pursuing most any outdoor activities. They also share their home with 6 dogs and 4 cats.