PRESIDENT’S AWARD
KEVIN M. BOYCE, Maj USMC (Retired)
Professor of Emerging Technology, Futures Lab Director, US Army War College
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Kevin M. Boyce began studying percussion at the age of ten in Eastern Pennsylvania. In high school, he discovered drum and bugle corps when the Magic of Orlando rehearsed at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida. Inspired by this experience, he began advanced percussion lessons with DCI Individual and Ensemble Champions Lee Hansen and Rich Viano. Cypress Creek’s new band program quickly rose to prominence, becoming the Bands of America Southeast Regional Class 5A Champions within three years.
Kevin auditioned for Magic of Orlando and marched tenor drums in 1996, when the corps placed 8th at the Drum Corps International World Finals. He continued performing with the University of Central Florida marching band and the Percussive Arts Society indoor percussion program, which earned top national placements during his time.
In 1997, Kevin enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. The following year, he successfully auditioned for “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, becoming the final Marine accepted under the legendary Colonel Truman Crawford.
From 1998 to 2007, he rose from lance corporal to gunnery sergeant, serving in roles that included assistant percussion director and company gunnery sergeant. In 2006, he was named the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Marine of the Year by the Commandant.
Selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, Kevin graduated with honors from Old Dominion University with a degree in history. He earned multiple distinctions, including the Schantz Award for Excellence and Leadership, the Professor of Naval Science Gold Award, and recognition as Honor Graduate of the Year by the ODU NROTC program.
In 2008, he graduated in the top 10% of his class at Officer Candidate
School in Quantico, Virginia. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2009, Kevin went on to serve as an Air Support Control Officer. From 2011 to 2012, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, directing thousands of combat aviation missions and coordinating air support for ground
Operations.
For his leadership and performance, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. On a subsequent deployment in 2013, he was recognized with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his role as senior air director.
Kevin also distinguished himself academically and as a writer. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Author Award from the Marine Corps Gazette. The following year, his published article on Marine Corps legend Smedley Butler was honored with the Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr. Award for distinguished writing by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
From 2016 to 2019, Kevin served as a Master Instructor in the History Department at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he also coordinated the practicum program, mentored midshipmen, and served as officer representative and percussion arranger for the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. For his excellence in teaching and mentorship, he was
nominated for the Apgar Excellence in Teaching Award and named Teacher of the Year for the Humanities Division. He also received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
In 2019, Kevin reported to the Marine Expeditionary Force, where he managed training and readiness for a command of more than 40,000 personnel. He also volunteered as a Naval Academy “Blue and Gold Officer,” guiding prospective midshipmen through the admissions process.
After retiring from active duty in 2021 with 25 years of service, Kevin joined the Hanover Lancers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps as a snare drummer under the instruction of World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member Bob Zarfoss. In 2022, he accepted a faculty position at
the U.S. Army War College, where he serves as Director of the Futures Lab and Professor of Futures and Emerging Technology. In 2025, he was awarded the Army War College’s Excellence in Service Award.
