Colonel Kevin Korpinen enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1986. After completing Boot Camp and Infantry Training School, he reported to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. He completed his initial enlistment and separated from active duty service in August 1992 as a Sergeant.
Colonel Korpinen graduated from the Metropolitan State College in Denver in June 1996, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and was commissioned through the Officer Candidate course. Upon completion of The Basic School and Air Traffic Control (ATC) course, he reported to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, CA in July 1997, where he earned his initial ATC qualifications and then served in multiple roles at Marine Air Control Squadron One (MACS-1), ATC Detachment B, including Detachment Commander.
In May 2001, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and served as Series Officer, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander for Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.
Transitioning to the Marine Reserves in September 2002, he served as Assistant Facility Officer at MCAS Camp Pendleton and later at MCAS Miramar. He was mobilized twice, first time as the MCAS Miramar ATC Facility Officer and a second time as the MCAS Miramar S-3 Training Officer.
In September 2008, he transitioned back onto active duty and deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 08.2 as the MACS-1, Officer in Charge. Upon return from Iraq, he fulfilled the billets as the Marine Air Control Group-38 (MACG-38) Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in March 2010 as the MACG-38 Detachment Operations Officer and Executive Officer. Upon his return from Afghanistan, he performed duties as the MACG-38 Operations Officer until executing orders in July 2011, to Naval Airspace and Air Traffic Control Standards and Evaluation Agency as the Resource Sponsor for Marine Air Traffic Control and Expeditionary Airfield Programs.
Colonel Korpinen assumed command of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38 (MTACS-38) in December 2012, where he deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM dual billeted as the MACG-38 (FWD) and MTACS-38 Commanding Officer. After relinquishing command in December 2014, Colonel Korpinen served in the 3rd Marine Aviation Wing G-3 as the Aviation Command and Control Officer.
After graduation from Eisenhower School in the summer of 2016, Colonel Korpinen received orders to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Joint Staff, where he was assigned to the CJCS J-35 Global Force Management Division and performed duties as the Emergent Chief and Division Deputy.
In the summer of 2018, Colonel Korpinen executed orders to Marine Corps Installations Pacific in Okinawa, Japan and served as the Command Inspector General. He was short toured in Okinawa to commanded Marine Air Control Group 38 from June 2019 to June 2021. After command he served as the IGMC Director of Inspections from July 2021 to July 2023.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (one gold star), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (one gold star), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four gold stars), and Combat Action Ribbon