Sergeant Major Kenly enlisted in the Marine Corp in September 1992 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Paris Island, South Carolina. After graduation in December 1992, Private First Class Kenly completed Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina and graduated from Camp Johnson, North Carolina as a Basic Warehouseman (3051).
In March 1993, Private First Class Kenly received orders to Marine Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Rations Non-Commissioned. In June 1993, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and in February 1994 he received orders to 2nd Surveillance Reconnaissance Intelligence Group, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In December 1994, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.
In June 1996, Corporal Kenly received orders to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, California. In December 1997, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and received orders to 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Headquarters and Service Company. He completed one Unit Deployment Program with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines to Okinawa, Japan.
In December 1999, Sergeant Kenly received orders to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Quantico, Virginia and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving as the Supply Chief he participated in 23 exercises thought the United States.
In December 2003, Staff Sergeant Kenly received orders to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Warehouse Chief. He deployed to Thailand in support of Cobra Gold 2004 and while in Guam for exercise True Resolve, his unit received orders to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II-Operation Al Fajr, the siege of Al Fallujah. After returning to Okinawa, Japan, he received orders to 3d Marine Logistics Group where he served as the Warehouse Chief for the Maintenance Float.
In April 2006, Staff Sergeant Kenly received orders to Drill Instructor School, Class 2-07, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, California. Upon graduating he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor with Golf Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion. In August 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was selected to be the Second Battalion Drill Master. In July 2009, Gunnery Sergeant Kenly was transferred to Instructor Staff, Drill Instructor School where he served as the Drill Master, and Chief Instructor.
In August 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Kenly received orders to 3d Supply Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company Gunnery Sergeant. During this time he deployed to Kuwait as an Individual Augment for Central Command, in support Operation Enduring Freedom and upon his return was selected to First Sergeant.
From January 2012 to August 2014, First Sergeant Kenly received orders to Combat Assault Battalion (CAB), where he served as First Sergeant for Combat Engineer Company and Headquarters and Service Company.
In August 2014, First Sergeant Kenly received order to 3d Transportation Support Battalion where he served as the First Sergeant for Support Company, 3d Marine Logistics Group during the activation of the unit. While there he was hand selected and received orders to Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment, 3d Marine Logistics Group.
In August 2016, First Sergeant Kenly received orders to Wounded Warrior Battalion-West until his selection to Sergeant Major in November 2016. In January 2017, he reported to Marine Corps Depot San Diego, as the Sergeant Major for Frist Recruit Training Battalion.
In January 2019, Sergeant Major Kenly received orders to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 to serve as the Squadrons Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Kenly’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star and lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of forth award, Joint Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award.