First Sergeant Kevin R. Vander Wiede enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2003 and attended Recruit Training in May 2004. After basic training he reported to Marine Combat Training followed by Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, MO earning the MOS 5811, Military Policeman.
Private Vander Wiede received orders to Military Police Company, Security Bn, MCB Quantico, VA. He served as a sentry for the Provost Marshalls Office and breacher for the Special Reaction Team, receiving promotion to Corporal in August 2006.
Corporal Vander Wiede reported to Military Police Company, Camp Lejeune, NC in October 2006. He served as Assistant Patrol Leader and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2007.
Corporal Vander Wiede reported to Military Police Detachment, Cherry Point, NC in December 2007 which fell under the Motor Transportation Company. Corporal Vander Wiede served as Training NCO and Administration NCO for Motor Transportation Company. During this time he prepared Military Police Detachment and Marines from the Inactive Ready Reserves for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Task Force MP, 1st BN/12th Marines. During the pre-deployment he served as Operations Chief at Cajun Viper, Ft Polk, LA while continuing to serve as the Training NCO and Administration NCO. Corporal Vander Wiede was selected as NCO of the Quarter, and Meritorious Sergeant.
Sergeant Vander Wiede was meritoriously promoted on November 10th, 2008 at Combat Outpost Trebil. While deployed he served as Police Sergeant, Training NCO, Admin NCO, Detention Facility NCOIC, ASP NCOIC, Armory NCOIC, and Supply NCOIC. Following deployment Sergeant Vander Wiede EAS’d in May 2009, returning to Connecticut and began classes at the University of Connecticut in the fall semester of 2009.
In June 2010, Sergeant Vander Wiede joined the SMCR with MWSS-472 Det B, Chicopee, MA. He served as HQ Platoon Sergeant, then Reserve Training Chief. In December 2012 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a focus in Entrepreneurship from the University of Connecticut.
Staff Sergeant Vander Wiede reported to 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Brooklyn, NY in February 2014 where he served as Platoon Sergeant and Accident Investigation Chief earning promotion to Gunnery Sergeant in February 2016. He served as the Accident Investigation Chief and Detachment Gunnery Sergeant for 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Detachment 2 until frocked to First Sergeant in April 2019.
First Sergeant Vander Wiede reported to Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment in May 2019, where he completed his first command tour. In May 2022, First Sergeant Vander Wiede reported to his current assignment with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines.
First Sergeant Vander Wiede’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 Gold Star, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 Gold Star, Certificate of Commendation (3), Certificate of Appreciation, and Meritorious Mast.