Kevin Heckart

Kevin E. Heckart was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1961. After graduating from Wentworth Military Academy he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in the Spring of 1979. Kevin then continued to serve in the USMCR achieving the rank of Corporal while attending Drake University (B.A. – 1983). Before graduating from college, Kevin was accepted into the PLC program for prospective Marine Officers, completed the training and was Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in May, 1983. After college Kevin attended Drake Law School (J.D. – 1985) and, upon graduation, the Basic School for Marine Officers in Quantico, Virginia and further Judge Advocate (JAG) training at the Naval Justice School in Newport Rhode Island. Kevin was then stationed at Camp Lejeune in October 1986 as a 1st Lieutenant with the Legal Services Support Section (LSSS), one of the Marine Corps busiest trial sections. While serving at the LSSS, Kevin was promoted to Captain, augmented into the regular Marine Officer Corps and served in multiple positions as: a Trial Counsel, an Administrative Separations Officer, a Defense Counsel and Presiding Officer over Article 32 hearings; his case load included: murder, child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, espionage, officer misconduct and desertion. In 1989, Kevin was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station New River where he continued to serve as a Chief Defense Counsel and Legal Assistance Officer for MCAS New River until Honorably Discharged in November, 1991. After Operation Desert Storm and his discharge from active duty, Kevin remained in the local area and transferred back into the USMCR where he served with the reserve component of II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) as the Commanding General’s Staff Judge Advocate and deployed on two separate occasions to Norway. Kevin later resigned his Reserve Commission and was Honorably Discharged in March, 2001. Kevin’s awards include: the Navy Commendation, Marine Corps Reserve and Arctic Service medals.