Major Kim is a native of Los Angeles, CA and received his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in New Haven, CT in 2001. After graduating, he spent five years working in the financial industry in New York City, NY.
After completing Officer Candidates Course in 2006, he was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. Following Infantry Officer School, he was assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander to Company L, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines. Second Lieutenant Kim deployed to Iraq in April 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting security operations at OP Black and JSS Cross on the Fallujah Peninsula.
Upon redeployment, he served as the company’s executive officer until August, 2009, when he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an individual augment to 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. In Afghanistan, First Lieutenant Kim spent four months as a staff officer in the G-3, coordinating training and support for Afghan National Security Forces, and then four months as the OIC of a Police Mentor Team working with Afghan Border Police in Garmsir.
In 2010, First Lieutenant Kim transferred from the active component to the Individual Ready Reserve. In April 2012 he joined Company K, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines and served as a Platoon Commander and Executive Officer until February 2017, when he assumed command of Company L. In 2019 he again transferred to the IRR to complete Command and Staff College. In 2022 Major Kim joined the Marine Innovation Unit, moving from there to 1st Battalion, 24th Marines in 2024, assuming command of Headquarters and Service Company in October of that year.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. As a civilian, he works as a software engineer at a technology startup.