Richard L. Jenkins

Corporal Richard L. Jenkins was an Alliance Marine under the command of Captain Anderson, and a member of the Normandy's crew.

Jenkins was born in a rural district of Eden Prime, and dreamed of visiting more urban areas before he decided to become a Marine, stating that "even paradise gets boring". After enlisting, he wanted to prove himself as a notable soldier and test himself in combat. He envied Commander Shepard's impressive record. Jenkins also admired the Spectres, though his views of them seemed to be coloured more by vids than by experience. He was especially impressed by Nihlus Kryik, after hearing the story that Nihlus once defeated an entire platoon single-handed.

Richard Jenkins is voiced by Josh Dean.

Jenkins was assigned to Shepard's ground team during the ill-fated mission to Eden Prime. He was killed by geth drones soon after the ground team landed on the surface. His death was a blow to the morale of the Normandy's crew, who would remember him for his bold exuberance.

Trivia

 * His name may be a play on the popular World of Warcraft meme Leeroy Jenkins, which has been referenced in other games and media.
 * The scripted death scene early in the game may make Jenkins the Mass Effect equivalent of a redshirt from Star Trek lore.
 * If Jenkins is assigned a weapon other than his default assault rifle, he is shown holding it sideways in the cutscene portraying his death.
 * Jenkins can wear any armor in the game, including krogan, quarian and turian armors. There are no visual differences if he is equipped with these armors, however.
 * Corporal Jenkins is the only Alliance Marine seen wearing a beret.
 * In a conversation in Mass Effect 2, Dr. Chakwas sometimes recounts a story in which Jenkins is thrown back by a "biotic display" of Kaidan. Chakwas was worried that Jenkins broke his back until he jumped up and shouted "That was awesome!"