Bio

Melissa L. Karnath was born November 24, 1981 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009. Private First Class Karnath completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. in October 2009. Private First Class Karnath completed Marine Corps Combat Training at Camp Geiger, N.C. in November 2009.

Private First Class Karnath reported to the Armed Forces School of Music at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Va. and promoted to Lance Corporal in spring of 2010. Lance Cpl. Karnath graduated in July 2010 with the military occupational specialty of basic musician (5524) playing French horn.

Lance Corporal Karnath reported to the 2d Marine Division Band at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. in August 2010 as a French horn musician. Lance Corporal Karnath was promoted to corporal April 1, 2011. While with the 2d Marine Division Band, Corporal Karnath completed more than 450 ceremonies, parades, concerts, and patriotic events. Corporal Karnath also served as the historian and noncommissioned officer in charge of the 2d Marine Division Band’s public affairs section.

In May 2013, Corporal Karnath reported to Defense Information School for the Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course and graduated in August 2013 with the MOS of 4341, public affairs. In addition, Corporal Karnath completed the Electronic Journalism Course at the school.
In September 2013, Corporal Karnath reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall for duty at the Pentagon as a public affairs specialist. Corporal Karnath attended Defense Information School in October 2013 and completed the Intermediate Public Affairs Specialist Course.

Corporal Karnath was then assigned to duty at the Headquarters Defense Media Activity at Fort George G. Meade, Md. in November 2013 where she worked in public affairs as a combat correspondent and content manager. Corporal Karnath was promoted to sergeant April 1, 2014. Sergeant Karnath served as an annual training instructor for Headquarters and Service Battalion, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Va.
Sergeant Karnath completed the residence sergeant’s course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. in February 2016.

In 2016 Sergeant Karnath applied, and was accepted, to the Military Motion Media Program at S.I. School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, New York. Sergeant Karnath reported to Syracuse University in July 2016.

Sergeant Karnath was promoted to staff sergeant May 1, 2017 and graduated from the Military Motion Media program in May 11, 2017.

Staff Sergeant Karnath is scheduled to report to II Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 2017.

Staff Sergeant Karnath’s awards include the Joint Service Achievement Medal w/two bronze oak leafs in lieu of third award, Navy Achievement Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/one bronze star in lieu of second award.

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