Captain Randel S. Metzinger was born in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina at the age of 6. He attended Pine Forest Senior High and enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 2003 out of RS Fayetteville.
Upon graduation of Marine Corps Recruit Training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, Private Metzinger attended the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. After completing the School of Music Basic Course, he was assigned to Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band, San Diego, CA, in April of 2005. He served as a saxophone instrumentalist and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in July of 2005.
In January 2006, Corporal Metzinger deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (I/II) to Al Anbar Province where he was assigned to perimeter security and the quick reaction force for the Tactical Air Command Center, Al Asad Air Base.
Corporal Metzinger was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in May 2007. He reenlisted in 2008 and was transferred to the First Marine Division Band in early 2009. While attached to the First Marine Division Band, Sergeant Metzinger served as the brass band ensemble leader, Assistant Drum Major, and Assistant Enlisted Conductor. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in May of 2010.
In December of 2012, Staff Sergeant Metzinger received orders back to the School of Music for the Unit Leader’s Course where he graduated in the top of his class. After the Unit Leader’s Course, Staff Sergeant Metzinger was transferred back to southern California where he served with Marine Band San Diego at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. While attached to Marine Band San Diego, Staff Sergeant Metzinger served as the Platoon Sergeant, Brass Band Ensemble Leader, and Acting Enlisted Conductor.
In September of 2015, Staff Sergeant Metzinger once again found himself at the Naval School of Music to attend the Senior Musician’s Course where he received the CDR Philip H. Field, USN Award of Excellence. After graduating the Senior Musician’s Course, he was brought on to the School of Music’s staff and served as the Head of Basic Academics. While serving as Head of Basic Academics, Staff Sergeant Metzinger attended and graduated from the Sound Reinforcement Technician’s Course. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 1 July 2017.
After selection to Warrant Officer, Gunnery Sergeant Metzinger reported to The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico to attend the Warrant Officer Basic Course on 23 January 2018 and was appointed to Warrant Officer on 1 February 2018. Warrant Officer Metzinger graduated on 23 May 2018 and reported for duty aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on 20 June,2018 to serve as the Officer in Charge, Quantico Marine Corps Band. Warrant Officer Metzinger was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 on 1 August 2019.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Metzinger detached from Marine Corps Base Quantico on 8 July 2020 and returned to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band to serve as their Director and Officer in Charge. On 14 July 2022 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Metzinger returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to continue the legacy of making Marines while serving the Western Recruiting Region and the Marine Corps.
Recently promoted to his current rank, Captain Metzinger assumed his role as Band Officer for the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa, Japan in July 2024.
Captain Metzinger’s awards include a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (4th award), Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), and Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award).