First Sergeant Axelrod enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 2003, attending Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, graduating in February 2004. Private Axelrod completed training at the School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton, California, achieving the MOS of 0311, Infantry Rifleman. Subsequently, Private Axelrod completed Basic Security Guard Course held in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was promoted to Private First Class.

Private First Class Axelrod was assigned to Security Platoon, Marine Corps Security Forces Company in Kings Bay, Georgia where he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal in 2005. Lance Corporal Axelrod was reassigned to Close Quarters Battle Platoon and was promoted to Corporal in 2006.

Corporal Axelrod was reassigned to Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment in June of 2006, where he was billeted as Squad Leader. He deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Axelrod was promoted to Sergeant in June 2007 and separated from Active Duty later that year in pursuit of higher education.

Sergeant Axelrod joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, attending Aircraft Rescue Firefighting School in San Angelo, graduating as Distinguished Graduate in 2008. Sergeant Axelrod returned to MWSS 471 and held various billets and was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in April 2010.

Staff Sergeant Axelrod deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011 as the Platoon Sergeant for Security Platoon, General Support Motor Transport Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion. Staff Sergeant Axelrod returned from deployment in 2012 to MWSS 471 where he was billeted as Senior Enlisted Advisor, Air Operations Company. Staff Sergeant Axelrod was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in 2013, and held various billets until his promotion to First Sergeant in April 2019. He was reassigned to Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment.

In May 2022, First Sergeant Axelrod was reassigned to Company First Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.

First Sergeant Axelrod holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Management, Communications, and Leadership from the University of Minnesota.

First Sergeant Axelrod’s personal awards include the Naval Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and Combat Action Ribbon.