Master Gunnery Gunnery Sergeant Richard Nelson was born in the Island of Trinidad &Tobago in 1968. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on 26 May 1997 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.

Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to Marine Combat Training, Camp Lejeune North Carolina, and later attended his initial Military Occupational Specialty school in FT Lee Vagina and obtained his basic MOS job as Food Service Specialist 3381.

In October 1997 he reported to Weapons Battalion Parris Island, South Carolina, while stationed at PISC, he was Meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal in June 2000. Corporal Nelson finished his tour of duty and received orders to 3RD Marine division 3RD Marines Kaneohe Bay Hawaii.

In June 2000 he executed orders to Kbay Hawaii and was deployed on two separate occasions to Okinawa Japan for a period of 6 months. He also deployed with the 31ST Marine Expeditionary Unit. While stationed in Hawaii he held the billets as Chief cook and Field mess chief and was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In September 2004 Sergeant Nelson executed orders to 2ND LAR Camp Lejeune NC, while stationed in NC Sgt Nelson deployed to Korean village Iraq for a period of 6 months, while deployed Sgt Nelson was selected for the rank of Staff Sergeant, upon return from deployment he attended the Food Service Staff

NCO school in Ft Lee Vagina and upon completion he immediately attended the Marine Corps Recruiting school in San Diego California.

Staff Sergeant Nelson reported to 1ST District Recruiting Station New York City in 2006, after successfully completing recruiting duty in 2009 Staff Sergeant Nelson received orders to 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton California he assumed duties as the Battalion Mess chief, in 2010 he deployed with the 13 Marine Expeditionary Unit to Pacific for a period of 10 months, he was also promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant then, he received orders to the East Coast Food Management Team, while on the Food Team he was hand selected to be an instructor on the New equipment Tester Trainer Team.

In October 2014 Gunnery Sergeant Nelson received orders for a permanent change of station (PCS) to Camp Fuji Mainland Japan to assume the position as the Mess Hall Manager. In 2015 Gunnery Sergeant Nelson received orders for a permanent change of station (PCS) to 2nd MLG food Service Company Camp Lejeune as the Mess Hall Liaison for Mess Hall 303. He deployed with the 24 Marine Expeditionary Unit and was promoted to the rank of Master sergeant, he also changed billets to the operations chief then Operations Officer and he went on to win the WPT Hill award for the best Field Mess in the Marine Corps.

Master sergeant Nelson executed orders in 2019 to 3RD Marine division 3RD Marines Kaneohe Bay Hawaii and assumed duties as the Regimental Mess chief also as the Mess Hall manager, while stationed at Kbay Hawaii Master sergeant Nelson was promoted to the rank of Master Gunnery sergeant and assumed the position of Food Technician. He also completed his Associates degree in social sciences Bachelors in Leadership with a concertation in Discipline and a Masters Degree in Homeland land security with a cume laud.

In 2023 Master Gunnery sergeant Nelson executed orders to MCIPAC-MCBB G-4 Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan he is currently serving as the Food Technician for MCIPAC Base Food Service.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Nelson is married to Krystle Nelson and has four children, Cresean Nelson, Shania Nelson, Shanice Nelson, Richard Nelson Junior, and two Grandchildren.

His personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one star.