First Sergeant Jerry Bell enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 2005 and attended recruit training with 3d Recruit Training Battalion Lima Company, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. Upon graduation of recruit training in September of 2005, Private Bell attended Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry at Camp Geiger Camp Lejeune, NC where he earned the military occupational specialty 0331, Machine Gunner. He graduated in November of 2005.
In November of 2005 Private First Class Bell reported to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines in Camp Lejeune, NC. Private First Class Bell was assigned to Weapons Platoon, Alpha Company as a Gunner. June of 2006 Lance Corporal Bell deployed on the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In June 2007 Corporal Bell was assigned the billet of Team Leader. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In July 2008 Sergeant Bell was assigned the billet of Section Leader in deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In February of 2010 Sergeant Bell reported to 2d MLG HQTRS assigned the billet of Machine Gunner Instructor. Sergeant Bell would be assigned the billet of Chief Machine Gunner Instructor in 2011.
In April of 2013 to August 2014 Sergeant Bell reported to Weapons Company,1st Battalion, 9th Marines. Sergeant Bell was assigned Section Leader for Combined Anti-Armor Team. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2014 of August, Sergeant Bell reported to Headquarter Company 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division. He was assigned the billet of Police Sergeant. Sergeant Bell would be promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on November 1, 2014.
In January of 2015 Staff Sergeant Bell reported to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines as a Section Leader for Weapons Co, where he deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon graduation of Infantry Unit Leader Course, he became platoon sergeant of 1st platoon Alpha Co, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. He deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from July of 2017 to February of 2018.
In January of 2019 Staff Sergeant Bell reported to School of Infantry East, Marine Combat Instructor School. Upon completion in March of 2019 Staff Sergeant Bell reported to Marine Combat Training Battalion. Staff Sergeant Bell would be promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant August 2019. He was assigned the billets of Combat Instructor, Company Gunnery Sergeant, Battalion Chief, and First Sergeant.
In August 2022 Gunnery Sergeant Bell reported to Headquarter Company 6th Marine Regiment 2d Marine Division. Gunnery Sergeant Bell was assigned the billet of Company Gunnery Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Bell would be promoted to First Sergeant May 2023.
In May of 2023, First Sergeant Bell reported to Lima Company, 23d Marine Regiment where he currently serves as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Bell's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars, Combat Action Ribbon, and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.