Lieutenant Colonel Jessica M. Kaster is a native of Tennessee and Colorado. Upon graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May 2008 with a B.A. in both Political Science and International Affairs, Second Lieutenant Kaster was commissioned through the Officer Candidate Course program; she then executed follow on orders to The Basic School in October 2008 and Logistics Officer Course in August 2009. Upon graduation, Second Lieutenant Kaster reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6) at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For her first tour, she served as a Truck Platoon Commander for Alpha Company and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 from January to August 2010; during this time, she promoted to First Lieutenant in May 2010.
After the deployment, First Lieutenant Kaster remained with CLB-6 and transitioned to the S-4 Officer in Charge (OIC) billet. She continued to serve in this capacity as well as being assigned the Maintenance Management Officer billet in country for the battalion’s deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduing Freedom 11.2 from July 2011 to February 2012.
Upon returning to Camp Lejeune, First Lieutenant Kaster reported to the School of Infantry East, North Carolina in June 2012 to serve as the Executive Officer of Lima Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion. While stationed there, she was promoted to Captain in September 2012. In October 2013, she transferred to Marine Combat Training Battalion where she assumed command of India Company and continued to serve in that capacity until March 2015; during this time, Captain Kaster was selected for resident PME and received orders to attend Logistics Captains’ Career Course at Army Logistics University, Fort Lee, Virginia in April 2015.
Once completing Logistics Captains Career Course in September 2015, Captain Kaster reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 (MALS-31) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina to serve as the S-4 OIC. While executing her duties there, she served as an Individual Augment with 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade for Operation COLD RESPONSE 16 as the Joint Movement Control Center OIC (JMCC OIC) from January to March 2016. Upon her return, Captain Kaster reassumed her billet as the MALS-31 S-4 OIC; during this time, she completed Expeditionary Warfare School (Non-Resident).
Upon finishing her tour with MALS-31, Major Kaster reported to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina as the G-4 Operations Officer. During this time, she completed Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Non-Resident) and Intermediate MAGTF Logistics Operations Course.
In June 2020, Major Kaster reported to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 to serve as the Executive Officer; during this time, she completed Joint Logistics Course. She was also selected for resident PME to attend Air Command and Staff College at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in July 2021 where she was accepted into the Joint All Domain Strategist program. During her time at Air Force Command and Staff College, Major Kaster was selected to attend the School of Advanced Warfighting at Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia to where she reported in July 2022.
After graduating the School of Advanced Warfighting, Major Kaster reported to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) where she currently serves as the Plans Officer. Since then, she was selected and promoted to her current rank in February 2024.
In June 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Kaster took command of Combat Logistics Battalion 2 and is currently serving as the units commanding officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Kaster’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.