Master Gunnery Sergeant Joshua D. Blevins was born in Marietta, Ohio, in April of 1982. In December 1999, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps through the Delayed Entry Program, and in August 2000 attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island with Lima Company, Third Recruit Training Battalion. Upon graduation, Private First Class Blevins reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, North Carolina, for training as a rifleman.
In January 2001, Private First Class Blevins reported to 3rd Battalion, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division for duty with India Company. During his tour, he served as an Infantry Rifleman and Fire Team Leader, and completed deployments to Okinawa, Japan, Bahrain, and the Persian Gulf.
In June 2002 with 3rd Battalion 2d Marines, Lance Corporal Blevins reported to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division for a Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment with Battalion Landing Team 2d Battalion, 2d Marines. While there, he served as an Infantry Rifleman, Fire Team Leader, and Squad Leader. During this tour, he completed deployments to the Mediterranean Sea / Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Djibouti, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Iraq.
In January 2004, Corporal Blevins reported to 3rd Battalion, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division awaiting orders to Marine Security Guard Battalion, Quantico, Virginia. In February 2004, he attended Marine Security Guard School. While assigned to the Marine Security Guard Battalion, he was stationed in Tel Aviv, Israel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Bern, Switzerland, and Kabul, Afghanistan. While there, he served in all detachment billets other than Detachment Commander.
In May 2007, Sergeant Blevins checked into 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. While there, he served as Dismounted Scout, Police Sergeant, Headquarters Platoon Sergeant, Weapons Platoon Sergeant, and Weapons Platoon Commander. During his tour, he completed deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. While there, he completed the Infantry Unit Leaders Course.
In August 2010, Staff Sergeant Blevins checked into 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division. While there, he served as a Platoon Sergeant, Assistant Operations Chief, and acting Battalion Gunner. He was assigned to Temporary Additional Duty at Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group as a Senior Instructor Controller. During his tour, he completed a deployment to Afghanistan.
In September 2012, he checked into Alpha Company, Marine Security Forces Regiment, Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant. He completed Foreign Weapons Instructor Course, Helicopter Rope Suspension Training Course, Amphibious Warfare Indoctrination, Expeditionary Warfare Staff Planning, and Advanced Urban Combat Course. During his tour, he deployed two times to Rota, Spain, and was forward-staged in Germany, Israel, and Greece.
In October 2015, Staff Sergeant Blevins reported to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, as the Alpha Company Operations Chief. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and served as a Company Gunnery Sergeant in Alpha Company. While there, he completed a deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In March 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Blevins, reported to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion 6th Marines and deployed to Romania in support of Black Sea Rotational Force as the Company Gunnery Sergeant.
In December 2017, after returning from deployment, Gunnery Sergeant Blevins reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron-272, Marine Air Group-26, 2d Marine Air Wing Jacksonville, North Carolina as the Air Base Ground Defense Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.
In May 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Blevins reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, as the Battalion Operations Chief. While there, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and attended Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course.
In July 2022, Master Sergeant Blevins reported to Marine Forces Europe and Africa, Stuttgart, Germany, as the Future Operations Chief. In September 2023, he was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant and served as the Marine Forces Europe and Africa, AC/S G-3 Directorate Senior Enlisted Leader and Operations Chief.
In June 2026, Master Gunnery Sergeant Blevins assumed his current position as the Commandant, Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
His personal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with star in lieu of third award) and Combat Action Ribbon (with star in lieu of second award), Good Conduct Medal (with four stars in lieu of 8th award).
Link: Biography in .pdf
(Current as of July 2026)