Major Reiner Hershaw is a native of Palouse, WA. He comes from a family with a strong Marine Corps tradition, including his father and uncle, both of whom served during the Vietnam War era, and his cousin, who served during the Global War on Terror.
In March 2012, he graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on international relations. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course 2-14, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines in April 2014.
During his time with 1/1, Second Lieutenant Hershaw held the roles of Rifle Platoon Commander and Rifle Company Executive Officer. As a Rifle Platoon Commander, he led his platoon on the Unit Deployment Program - West in 2014, conducting training at Camp Hansen and Camp Fuji in support of theater objectives. His leadership extended to participation in Exercise Forest Light in Iwate, Japan, where he also hosted an embedded exchange Japanese officer. Following redeployment to Camp Pendleton, First Lieutenant Hershaw assumed the duties of Rifle Company Executive Officer for Bravo Company and later deployed to Darwin, Australia, in 2016 as part of Marine Rotational Force Darwin. During this deployment, he served his role at Robertson Barracks and across the Australian outback. Upon his return to Camp Pendleton, First Lieutenant Hershaw supported operations in the 1st Marine Regiment and was promoted to Captain in May 2017, before his end of active service later that year.
After leaving active duty, Captain Hershaw pursued graduate studies in Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Following his graduation in 2019, he joined 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Carlos Company, as a Rifle Platoon Commander. In September 2021, he enrolled in Expeditionary Warfare School, graduating from the program in the summer of 2023. He returned to Carlos Company in October 2023 as a Rifle Platoon Commander, leading his platoon through monthly drills and annual training at Raven Exercise across Mississippi and Louisana. Promoted to Major in January 2024, he assumed command of Carlos Company, 1/23, in July 2024, where he continues to serve.
Major Hershaw's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1).