SFC Jake R. Mrzena was born in Des Moines, IA on February 19, 1994. He graduated from Indianola High School, Indianola, IA. He enlisted in the Army in October 2012 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Moore, Georgia where he was awarded the MOS of Infantryman (11B).
SFC Mrzena assignments include 2-2 Infantry Battalion, Fort Knox, KY, 1-8 Calvary Regiment, Fort Cavazos, TX, 1-21 Infantry Battalion, Schofield Barracks, HI, 2-54 Infantry Battalion. Fort Moore, GA, and the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, SC. His duty positions include Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Assistant Operations Sergeant, Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Weapon Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, and a Drill Sergeant Leader. SFC Mrzena was announced as the 2024 Drill Sergeant of the Year (Reserve Component) on 19 September 2024. SFC Mrzena’s military education includes the Basic Leader Course, Advance Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, Drill Sergeant School, Common Faculty Development Program-Instructor Course, Air Assault, Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention Course, Department of the Army Retention Training, Master Driver Trainer, Combat Life Saver Course, Combatives Level 1 & 2, and the Raven Operators Course.
SFC Mrzena’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC)), Army Commendation Medal (3 Bronze OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 Silver OLC, 2 Bronze OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (3 Knots), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Korea Defense Service Medal (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Basic Instructor Badge, Basic Rifle Marksmanship Badge (Expert), Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), and the Presidential Volunteer Service Medal. SFC Mrzena’s short-term goals include becoming a Career Counselor in the Active Guard and Reserve Component, while his long-term goal is to become the Deputy Commandant of the US Army Drill Sergeant Academy before retirement.