Official Biography

Gunnery Sergeant Bernal was born on November 23, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2009. After completing recruit training at MCRD San Diego, CA and Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, CA, he reported to the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA for the Basic Music Course and earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 5524 Musician.

In May of 2010, upon graduation from the Basic Music Course, Lance Corporal Bernal was assigned to the Parris Island Marine Band in Beaufort, South Carolina for duty as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. While there, he was promoted to Corporal in January of 2011 and to Sergeant in January of 2012. In April of 2013, Sergeant Bernal completed the Martial Arts Instructor Course and earned the title Martial Arts Instructor. During his tour, Sergeant Bernal performed with the Parris Island Marine Band’s Ceremonial Band, Wind Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Brass Band, and as a Solo Bugler for audiences across the East Coast. Additionally, he served in the billets of Trumpet Section Leader, Martial Arts Instructor, Fire Team Leader, and Administration Clerk.

In June of 2013, Sergeant Bernal received orders to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, California as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. During his tour, he performed with the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band’s Wind Ensemble, Ceremonial Band, Popular Music Group, and as a Solo Bugler for military memorial services. Additionally, he served as a Black Belt Martial Arts Instructor, Training Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Squad Leader, and Platoon Sergeant.

In July of 2015, Sergeant Bernal received orders to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, he earned the MOS of 0911 and the legendary title of Drill Instructor. Further, he was assigned to Company L, Third Recruit Training Battalion and Receiving Company, Support Battalion. In October of 2016, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his tour, Staff Sergeant Bernal served as Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor where he transformed over 800 civilians into basically trained Marines. Further, Staff Sergeant Bernal processed over 200 recruits in the Separations Platoon back to the civilian sector.

In October of 2018, Staff Sergeant Bernal received orders to the 1st Marine Division Band in Camp Pendleton, California for duty as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. In November of 2019, he was attached to Task Force Anbar where he trained with, but did not deploy with, the task force as they prepared for a deployment to Central Command. With the task force he earned the military occupational specialty of 0570 Foreign Security Force Advisor. Further, with the 1st Marine Division Band, Staff Sergeant Bernal performed as a solo bugler for the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood in France, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu in Palau, 2019 San Francisco Fleet Week, and with the ceremonial band for dozens of military ceremonies. Additionally, Staff Sergeant Bernal acted in the capacity of the Assistant Drum Major as he led the 1st Marine Division Band’s Ceremonial Ensemble for 12 military commitments.

In December of 2020, Staff Sergeant Bernal received orders to the Naval School of Music for training in the Unit Leader Course. In September of 2021, upon graduation of the Unit Leader Course, Staff Sergeant Bernal received orders to the III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Band in Okinawa, Japan for duty as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. Shortly after arriving, he was selected for the MOS of 5521 and earned the legendary title of Drum Major. As the III MEF Band’s Drum Major, he served as the subject matter expert pertaining to drill and ceremonies for the unit and all unit-assigned missions. In August of 2022, he was promoted to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In March of 2023 he trained, led, and deployed with 10 III MEF Band members to Camp Mujuk, South Korea, where he was the security Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for Freedom Shield 23. During his tour with the III MEF Band, Gunnery Sergeant Bernal led the ceremonial band on the march for the 2022 and 2023 Japan Self Defense Force Marching Festival in Tokyo, Japan, the 2022 and 2024 Guam Liberation Day Parade, and numerous military and community outreach commitments throughout the Indo-Pacific area of operation.

In August of 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Bernal was transferred to his current assignment at the Marine Detachment Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia to serve as the Detachment Gunnery Sergeant and Drum Major Instructor. While there, he completed the Navy Instructor Training Course in November of 2024 and earned the MOS of 0951 Formal Schools Instructor.

Gunnery Sergeant Bernal’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.