Robert F. Lark enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2005. In June 2005, he graduated from recruit training with Company H, Second Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduation, Private First Class Lark attended Marine Combat Training in Camp Geiger, North Carolina. In July 2005, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida for Expeditionary Airfield School. He was selected as the honor graduate and was promoted meritoriously to Lance Corporal.
Lance Corporal Lark received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Iwakuni, Japan in October 2005. He was promoted to Corporal in November 2006 and was assigned as Runway Crew Leader for the Aircraft Recovery platoon. Corporal Lark participated in multiple exercises in Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. He was twice selected as Marine of the Quarter, twice selected as Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter, and selected as Noncommissioned Officer of the Year during this tour.
In January 2009, Corporal Lark reported to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. He was assigned as Runway Supervisor and Production Control for the Aircraft Recovery platoon.
In January 2010, he was promoted to Sergeant and deployed as an individual augment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from March to October 2010. After returning, Sergeant Lark was selected as Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. In April 2011, Sergeant Lark attended Sergeants Course and was voted as a Distinguished Graduate. In October 2011, Sergeant Lark was selected as Marine Corps Installations East Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
From February to October 2012, Sergeant Lark deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as the Expeditionary Airfield Detachment Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge aboard Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan. Upon his return from deployment, Sergeant Lark was then assigned as Quality Assurance for the Aircraft Recovery Section.
In July 2013, Sergeant Lark reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor Duty with class 4-13, graduating as the honor graduate and was voted on by his peers for the leadership award. He was selected from the below zone and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in May 2014. During his tour on Parris Island, he served as a Drill Instructor with Company H, Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor with Company F, and served as the Battalion Operations Chief. In June 2016, he was selected to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant from the below zone.
Staff Sergeant Lark reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 in October 2016. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in February 2017. During his time with MWSS-272, he participated in multiple exercises and airshows around the United States while serving as the Company First Sergeant for both Headquarters and Service Company and Airfield Operations Company.
In March 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Lark reported to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment in Yorktown, Virginia and served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company. He was selected for the rank of First Sergeant in November 2020.
In April 2021, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Company E, Second Recruit Training Battalion. He served in this capacity until June 2023. In July 2023 he was selected to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader of Drill Instructor School-East. He was selected for the rank of Sergeant Major in October 2023.
In July 2024, he reported to Marine Detachment Fort Gregg-Adams, where he currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Lark's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three gold stars in lieu of 4th award), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various other campaign and unit awards.