Episode 171: Randall Parkes “Husband/Father/U.S. Marine/USC Trojan

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Randall Parkes is a senior leader who has led numerous Marines and Sailors in austere environments around the globe. Randall joined the United States Marine Corps in July 2001. Throughout his career he was deployed on four combat deployments to combat terrorism around the globe in Iraq, Afghanistan and off the coast of Africa. From 2006 to 2011 Randall was assigned as a founding member of 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Special Operations Command. In 2011 he was named Marine Special Operations Command Marine of the Year. From 2011 Randall was assigned as a Drill Instructor aboard Parris Island, South Carolina where he instructed and inspired young men on leadership, physical fitness and ethics. In 2014 Randall was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. In 2017 he deployed to Central Command in support of operations to combat terrorism. He led a company of 97 Marines and Sailors that were employed in multiple theaters. His last duty assignment was aboard the Recruit Depot in San Diego, California and retired after 20 years of faithful and honourable service on 30 September 2021. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps Randall and his wife launched his own Real Estate company, The Parkes Realty Group with Cømpass and has sold over $37 million in residential real estate. In addition to his real estate business, Randall also works as a Mission Operations Deployment Lead for Anduril Industries, a leading defence technology company that is repotting the arsenal of democracy. Randall currently holds a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management (Magna Cum Laude).Randall has received a few significant awards as well. The Meritorious Service Medal, The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valour and the Combat Action Ribbon second award. First Sergeant Parkes is married to the former Heather Lynn Norton and has two children, Brody and Kinsley Parkes.