Master Gunnery Sergeant Jerome N. Root
Command Senior Enlisted Leader
Special Operations Command South
Master Gunnery Sergeant Jerome N. Root enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June 1992. Following basic recruit training, he attended the Marine Combat Training and School of Infantry Training. As an infantryman he served in the Marine Security Forces, 3rd and 1st Battalions, 3rd Marines and the Division's Combat Squad Leader Course.
In July 1998 Master Gunnery Sergeant Root was transferred to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Camp Pendleton, California. He served in every position from scout to team leader while on this assignment. Master Gunnery Sergeant Root conducted several West Pacific deployments while at 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and deployed to Iraq with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a Force Reconnaissance team leader.
In June 2006 while assigned to the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Master Gunnery Sergeant Root held positions as the Chief Instructor for Special Missions Training Branch-West, Marine Special Operations School, and Senior Enlisted Advisor for Marine Special Operations, Companies Hotel & India.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Root deployed to Afghanistan in support of the Combined Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan (C/JSOTF-A), 1st & 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion's, Special Operations Task Force-West, Senior Enlisted Advisor Helmand, Afghanistan, and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Iraq, Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Root served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Marine Raider Training Center prior to assume duties as the Special Operations Command South, Command Senior Enlisted Leader in June 2018.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star w/Combat "V" Medal (2nd award Combat V), Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Combat V), and the Combat Action Ribbon (2nd award).