Lieutenant Colonel Norton was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelors of Science degree from Union College in 1989 where he majored in social science/secondary education.

He is also a graduate of Infantry Captain's Career Course and Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Norton enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1990. His first assignment was as an artilleryman in C Battery, 1st Battalion 12th Marines. During this initial tour he participated in combat operations in OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM and deployed to Okinawa and the Republic of the Philippines as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (1992).

In December 1993 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant via the Enlisted Commissioning Program.

Lieutenant Colonel Norton’s past assignments include:

Rifle Platoon Commander, Heavy Machine Gun Platoon Commander, and Company Executive Officer, Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. During this period he participated in operations with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of OPERATION JOINT ENDEAVOR (1994-1995).

Rifle Platoon Commander in Ground Security Defense Forces, Marine Barracks, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (1997-1998).

Officer Selection Officer in Recruiting Station Salt Lake City, Utah (1998-2000).

Company Commander, Headquarters and Service Company, Company Commander, Kilo Company, and Battalion Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines participating in a unit deployment to Okinawa and combat operations in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM I and II (2001-2004).

Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station New Jersey (2005-2007).

Battalion Executive Officer, 3d Battalion 4th Marines during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 08-1 (2007-2009).

Strategic Planner in J5 Plans and Policy Directorate, United States Strategic Command (2009-2011)