Major Nate Blackwell grew up in Fredonia, Kansas. After graduating high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Infantrymen. He graduated from MCRD San Diego on 29 August 2003 and reported to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (2/1) in November 2003 after completing School of Infantry.
PFC Blackwell deployed to Iraq with 2/1 in February 2004. Returning in September, Corporal Blackwell attended Infantry Squad Leader’s Course from October to December 2004. Corporal Blackwell returned to Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/1 and served in the Sniper Platoon for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) work up and deployment. BLT 2/1 returned to Iraq in September 2005 and participated in Operation Steel Curtain. Corporal Blackwell reported to Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, in April 2006 to serve as a Helicopter Rope Suspension Training (HRST) Instructor. Corporal Blackwell was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in July 2006 and departed active duty in June, 2007.
From 2007 to 2011 Sergeant Blackwell attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence Kansas while serving in various reserve billets for 24th Marine Regiment in Kansas City Missouri. During this time Sergeant Blackwell enrolled in the PLC Program attending Officer Candidate School in 2009 and 2010. Nate was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in July 2010 and accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in May of 2011.
Second Lieutenant Blackwell reported to The Basic School in October 2011 and then to Infantry Officer’s Course (IOC) in July 2012. Upon completion of IOC Second Lieutenant Blackwell reported to 3rd Battalion 1st Marines (3/1) in October 2012 and served as a Rifle Platoon Commander for the work up and UDP to Okinawa Japan in October 2013. Upon returning home First Lieutenant Blackwell was assigned to command a CAAT platoon. Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/1 assembled under the 15th MEU and deployed in May 2015. Upon returning from the MEU Captain Blackwell assumed command of India Company until executing orders to Recruiting Station Kansas City in March 2016. Captain Blackwell served as the Operations Officer for the Recruiting Station until December 2018. Captain Blackwell then attended Maneuver Captain’s Career Course (MCCC) on Fort Benning Georgia from January to June 2019.
Captain Blackwell reported to 3D Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion to serve as the H&S Company Commander from July 2019 to January 2020. Captain Blackwell joined and commanded Bravo Company in Okinawa Japan in January 2020 until redeploying to Twenty-nine Palms CA in June 2020. Nate was promoted to Major while deployed and served as the Battalion Operations Officer for 3D LAR from June 2020 to June 2021.
Major Blackwell reported to Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in July 2021 and earned a Master’s degree in Operational Studies. Major Blackwell assumed command of Recruiting Station Milwaukee in June of 2022.
Major Blackwell’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.