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Marines


Biography

 

First Sergeant Francis W. Rush IV
Unit Senior Enlisted Leader
Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment

First Sergeant Francis W. Rush IV is a native of Putnam Valley, New York, and enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 25th, 2006. He attended recruit training aboard Parris Island, South Carolina, was assigned to Platoon 2085, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, and graduated in October 2006. Upon completion of training, PFC Rush attended Marine Corps Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Electro-Optical Ordnance Repair School located in Aberdeen, Maryland, where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.  

In lieu of orders of June 2007, LCpl Rush was assigned to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Support Group, Armory Division, where he served until June 2010. During his assignment, he was billeted as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Armory and attended multiple follow-on schools that were offered by Special Operations Command. In June of 2010, with orders in conjunction with re-enlistment, Sergeant Rush executed orders to the Naval Aircrewman Candidate School located in Pensacola, Florida. Follow on training occurred at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron-204, MCAS New River, where he graduated as honor graduate in May 2011. 

Sgt Rush reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-266 (VMM-266), where he served as an MV-22B Osprey Crew Chief. During his tenure at VMM-266, he held qualifications as a Tail Gunner Instructor, Night Systems Instructor, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor, Collateral Duty Inspector, Plane Captain, and Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of the Fightline Division. Further, he was designated the Color Sergeant of the Squadron. In October 2012, Sergeant Rush and a contingent of other crewmen, flew missions to help support the relief effort in New York from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, thus earning the Humanitarian Medal. In March 2013, Sgt Rush deployed with VMM-266 Reinforced aboard the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East in conjunction with Operation Enduring Freedom. During that time, Sgt Rush applied and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School via Marine Enlisted Commission Education Program in late September 2013. Unfortunately, Sgt Rush was unable to complete the training due to an injury sustained.   

September 2014, Sgt Rush fulfilled his active-duty contract and, in October 2014, was affiliated with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-764 in Miramar, California, holding the above qualifications previously mentioned as a Select Marine Corps Reservist. 

SSgt Rush conducted a unit transfer in December 2015, affiliating with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-774, maintaining the above qualifications. SSgt Rush further became an Assistant NATOPS Instructor and assisted VMM-774 in becoming Fully Mission Capable. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on March 1st, 2019, earning the billet of Flight Line Reserve Division Chief. In July 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Rush mobilized with VMM-774 and executed a deployment supporting Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa 20.1 (SPMAGTF-CR-AF-20.1) until June 2020. In August 2020, GySgt Rush de-mobilized and returned to reserve drilling status. 

On May 1st, 2023, GySgt Rush was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and is currently assigned to Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment, where he is the Company First Sergeant. 

1stSgt Rush’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal