Master Gunnery Sgt. Frederick Kern currently serves as enlisted bandleader of Marine Band San Diego. In this capacity he is the senior enlisted advisor and Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) of the band. He serves as the band’s primary point-of-contact for inquiries and requests for band performances and advises the director in developing the musical proficiency of the band and in planning and supervising all training, operations, and administrative duties within the band.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed the Basic Music Course in 2004 at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Kern served as a guitar instrumentalist in the following fleet Marine bands: Quantico Marine Band (2004-2007; 2011-2014); and Marine Band San Diego (2011-2014; 2017-2020). Master Gunnery Sgt. Kern served as the small ensemble leader in the following fleet Marine band: 2nd Marine Division Band (2021-2023). As do all fleet Marine musicians, he served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include platoon leadership.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Kern deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007). From 2014-2017, he served as a recruiter with Recruiting Station Orlando.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Kern was promoted to his current rank in 2025 and served as the enlisted bandleader of the following fleet Marine band: 2nd Marine Division Band (2023).
Master Gunnery Sgt. Kern attended the Sound Reinforcement Course (2010), Unit Leader Course (2020), and is a graduate of the E8 Regional Seminar. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), and the Army Achievement medal.