Lieutenant Colonel Kerlin is a native of Ligonier, Indiana. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Anderson University and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 4 May 2004. Second Lieutenant Kerlin reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia on 3 October of that same year and after graduating In September 2005 he received orders to Pensacola, Florida with Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 to begin initial flight training. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in June of 2006. After being designated a Naval Aviator on 9 March 2007, First Lieutenant Kerlin was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164 aboard Camp Pendleton, California for initial training in the CH-46E Sea Knight.
After completing initial CH-46E training, he was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter squadron 161 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California from October 2007 to August 2009 where he served as Schedule Writer, Ground Training Officer, and Pilot Training Officer. He was promoted to Captain in July 2008 and later deployed to Al Taqaddum Airbase Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Captain Kerlin was selected for the MV-22 transition and remained aboard MCAS Miramar to standup Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 from August 2009 to September 2013. After complecting the initial MV-22 Osprey training he returned to VMM-161 and served as Airframes Division Officer and Administration Officer. In August of 2012 Captain Kerlin deployed to Camp Bastion Airbase Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Captain Kerlin received orders to 2d Battalion, 1st Marines in Camp Pendleton where he served as a Forward Air Controller from November 2013 to June 2015 and deployed aboard the USS Makin Island as part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He was promoted to Major in September of 2014.
In October of 2014 Major Kerlin was selected for the Active Reserve Program and was assigned to VMM-764 at MCAS Miramar where he served as Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer from June 2015 to June 2018. The squadron mobilized in support of 2d Marine Air Wing, and was deployed to Moron Spain for Special Purpose MAGTF, Crisis Response Africa.
Major Kerlin left active duty in July of 2018 and continued serving at VMM-764. He returned to Active Reserve in March 2020 and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November of that same year.
In July 2021 he was assigned to the Force Headquarters Group in New Orleans, Louisiana as the Deputy Chief of Staff G-1.
In July 2023 Lieutenant Colonel Kerlin received orders to VMM-774 at MCAS New River, North Carolina and served as the Executive Officer.
In October 2024 Lieutenant Colonel Kerlin was selected to become the Site Commander of Marine Aircraft Group 41, Detachment Bravo aboard MCAS Miramar where he currently resides.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.