Major Kingslee Gourrick is a native of Guyana and enlisted in the Marine Corps August 1998. After various “C” Schools, which included: Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape, Naval Air Crew Candidate School, Basic Helicopter Mechanic Course, Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Training and Basic Air Crewman's Course, Lance Corporal Gourrick was designated a Helicopter Crew Chief in November 1999.
Major Gourrick’s enlisted career spanned 12 years of dedicated service with seven different units, during which time he completed (1) Unit Deployment to Okinawa, Japan, and (6) combat deployments. These deployments were as part of the Aviation Combat Element, with (3) Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable Deployments and (3) Squadron Unit Deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
While stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in 2007, Staff Sergeant Gourrick completed a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), and in 2010 applied for the Enlisted to Officer Commissioning Program (ECP). While forward deployed, Gunnery Sergeant Gourrick was selected for ECP and attended Officer Candidate School in October 2010. Following The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Gourrick received orders to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Detachment B, and later attended and completed Air Traffic Control (ATC) School. Second Lieutenant Gourrick was designated an ATC Officer and returned to Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron New River for follow-on training. January 2013, First Lieutenant Gourrick was assigned orders to Aviation Maintenance Officer School and follow-on orders to Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) Squadron 261, MAG-26 for assignment as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AAMO)/Material Control Officer.
In January 2014, First Lieutenant Gourrick deployed to Afghanistan, where he functioned as the Squadron’s AAMO. While deployed, in addition to his duties, he enabled his Squadron to function in multiple austere environments away from Camp Bastion, including establishing the Special Purpose Marine Aircraft Ground Task Force, Kuwait, during Operation Enduring Freedom 14.1 and 14.2. Upon returning from deployment, First Lieutenant Gourrick was reassigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 26 in December 2014 to function as the Maintenance Department’s Ground Support Equipment Division Officer in Charge while awaiting summer orders.
Captain Gourrick executed orders to MAG-16 for assignment in May 2015. After reporting to VMM-363, MAG-16, he was reassigned to MALS-16, where he served as the AAMO and functioned as the Officer in Charge of five Maintenance Divisions. While assigned, he forecasted aviation maintenance requirements, formulated plans through collaboration with Headquarters Marine Corps, and oversaw the staffing and relocation of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 from 3d MAW, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar to 1st MAW MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
In November 2016, Captain Gourrick was selected for a Personnel Exchange Program and served with the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. There, he completed the United Kingdom’s Engineering Officer Training Course and was assigned to 17 Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California. Captain Gourrick was assigned a Junior Engineering Officer and later held the Deputy Senior Engineering Officer Billet. While assigned, he was responsible for the modification and critical upgrades of complex software while supporting the Chief Air Engineering Officer and the needs of line operations. His efforts also led to the success of the Operational Test 1 of embarked sea trials for Her Majesty's Ship, Queen Elizabeth, off the eastern seaboard, by leading the team as Detachment Commander. Additionally, during his tour, Captain Gourrick completed a Master’s of Science in Engineering Management from ERAU, his alma mater.
Following receipt of orders in 2020, Captain Gourrick reported to MALS-12, MAG-12, where he was assigned as the Squadron’s Operations Officer and Department Head. While assigned, Major Gourrick provided support to over 100 Marine Aircraft Group 12 exercises across the Pacific Area of Responsibility, which included Alaska, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, Korea, Singapore, and Australia. Major Gourrick laid the foundations for future Contingency Response detachments involving Mobile Facilities, which built experiences for advancing Intermediate Level logistics planning solutions for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. Additionally, during his assignment, Major Gourrick was selected as a Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow and was issued orders.
In May 2023, Major Gourrick reported to the Military Fellows Program at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University. While there, he functioned as a National Defense Fellow and Military Scholar, enabling security-related research and participating in conferences, seminars, and events along with the Watson faculty. In addition to his assignment, Major Gourrick was accepted as a Carnegie Fellow, which enabled him to complete a year-long program to obtain a Master's in Public Affairs and Public Policy. As a Brown graduate, he continues to work closely with academics, the Office of Military Affiliated Students, and students conducting military research.
In August 2024, following his year as a professional scholar, Major Gourrick was assigned as the Executive Officer at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point.
Major Gourrick’s personal awards include the Air Medal with Combat “V,” an individual award, the Air Medal with the numeral 12 for Strike Flights, three Navy Commendation Medals with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold stars, a Good Conduct Medal with three bronze Stars, and an Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.