First Sergeant Francis W. Rush IV is a native of Putnam Valley, New York, and enlisted in the Marine Corps on 25 July 2006. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, where he was assigned to Platoon 2085, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and graduated in October 2006. Upon completion of training, Private First Class Rush attended Marine Corps Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Following graduation, he reported to the Electro-Optical Ordnance Repair School in Aberdeen, Maryland, where he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal.
In June 2007, Lance Corporal Rush was assigned to the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Support Group, Armory Division, where he served until June 2010. During this assignment, he served as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Armory and attended multiple follow-on courses offered by U.S. Special Operations Command.
In June 2010, in conjunction with his reenlistment, Sergeant Rush reported to Naval Aircrewman Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. He subsequently attended follow-on training at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, where he graduated as the Honor Graduate in May 2011.
Sergeant Rush then reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (VMM-266), where he served as an MV-22B Osprey Crew Chief. During his tenure with VMM-266, he earned qualifications as a Tail Gunner Instructor, Night Systems Instructor, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor, Collateral Duty Inspector, and Plane Captain. He also served as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Flightline Division and was designated the squadron Color Sergeant.
In October 2012, Sergeant Rush and a contingent of fellow crewmen flew missions in support of relief efforts following the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy in New York, earning him the Humanitarian Service Medal. In March 2013, he deployed with VMM-266 (REIN) aboard the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During the deployment, Sergeant Rush applied for and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in September 2013. He was unable to complete Officer Candidate School due to an injury sustained during training.
In September 2014, Sergeant Rush completed his active-duty contract and, in October 2014, affiliated with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 764 in Miramar, California, where he maintained his previous qualifications as a Selected Marine Corps Reservist. In December 2015, Staff Sergeant Rush transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774, where he continued to maintain his qualifications and additionally served as an Assistant NATOPS Instructor. He assisted VMM-774 in achieving Fully Mission Capable status.
Staff Sergeant Rush was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on 1 March 2019 and assumed duties as the Flightline Reserve Division Chief. In July 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Rush mobilized with VMM-774 and deployed in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa 20.1 (SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1), serving until June 2020. In August 2020, he demobilized and returned to reserve drilling status.
In May 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Rush was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and assigned to Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment, where he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader until February 2026. He is currently assigned to Echo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
First Sergeant Rush's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.