School Board Member for the Occoquan District

About Richard M. Jessie

Richard M. Jessie, aka “Jessie,” has an incredible life story that has given him a unique perspective on community service and the importance of education. He was often the only African American in his elementary and high school classes. Jessie and his mentally disabled sister lost their mother, their father, and their grandmother before he was in high school. Jessie never had anyone at home who could read or assist with his education. However, the community encouraged him and told him he was special.

Jessie did not grow up thinking of himself as a leader. In high school and in his community, he had not held traditional leadership roles. That changed dramatically after he graduated from high school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps gave Jessie an opportunity to discover abilities within himself that had not previously been recognized—and he seized that opportunity.

After completing recruit training, Jessie was assigned to an infantry company, where his leadership potential quickly emerged. In just two and a half years, he advanced through the enlisted ranks from Private to Private First Class, Lance Corporal, Corporal, and then Sergeant—an extraordinary progression that reflected his discipline, performance, and growing ability to lead other Marines.

Jessie aspired to become a Marine Corps officer, but there was a significant obstacle: he did not have a college degree. His outstanding enlisted record, however, opened another door. He was selected to attend Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia.

At OCS, Jessie faced another distinction. While he had served alongside Marines of many racial backgrounds in the enlisted ranks, he was the only African American in his OCS platoon. He did more than simply succeed—he excelled, graduating as the Honor Man of his platoon.

After receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant, Jessie attended The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, the rigorous six-month-plus course required of newly commissioned Marine officers. Among more than 500 Second Lieutenants, Jessie was again the only African American in his platoon. Once again, he distinguished himself by graduating as his platoon’s Honor Man.

Jessie's Marine Corps service included three tours connected with the Vietnam War—two as an enlisted Marine and one as an officer. During the evacuation of Vietnam, he also served as one of the Marine officers responsible for a detachment assigned to a civilian cargo ship involved in evacuating Vietnamese. For his service in Vietnam, Jessie was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

Persistence was as important to Jessie's success as leadership. While serving on active duty, he completed approximately two years of college through correspondence courses and night school. He was subsequently selected for a Marine Corps program that allowed him to remain on active duty while completing his undergraduate education. Jessie attended George Washington University, where he earned a degree in accounting.

His Marine Corps journey eventually brought him back to Quantico—not as the young, enlisted Marine who had once wondered whether he could become an officer, but as an instructor in the Marine Corps' Leadership Department, helping prepare others to lead.
Jessie ultimately concluded his Marine Corps career as a Major.

His journey—from a young man who had never considered himself a leader, to an enlisted Marine, Sergeant, commissioned officer, combat veteran, college graduate, Major, and instructor of leadership—helped shape the values he later brought to public service: discipline, perseverance, accountability, respect for others, and a belief in the potential of every young person when given an opportunity to succeed.

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About Richard M. Jessie

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