Joshua M. Calkins was born in Richmond, Indiana. He enlisted on July 7, 2008 and graduated recruit training with Kilo Company,
Platoon 3230 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Upon graduation, Private First Class Calkins completed Marine Combat Training, Assault Amphibian Crewman Course, and reported to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California inJanuary 2009.
While assigned to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, he deployed as a Crewman and Crew Chief on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in July 2009 and again in January 2011 where he participated in Operation Tomodachi. He was promoted to Sergeant, meritoriously, in August 2011 before executing orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in April 2012.
Sergeant Calkins graduated Drill Instructor School in June 2012, and reported to Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion
where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Academic Instructor. Sergeant Calkins was promoted Staff Sergeant, meritoriously, in January 2015. Staff Sergeant Calkins reported back to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion in May 2015. Staff Sergeant Calkins attended Assault Amphibian Unit Leader Course in December 2015 and deployed on the Unit Deployment Program to Japan as a section leader. Upon return, Staff Sergeant Calkins attended the Force Fitness Instructor course and served as the Battalion Force Fitness Instructor until receiving orders to Purdue University NROTC.
As the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor, Staff Sergeant Calkins was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November 2018. During
his tour, Gunnery Sergeant Calkins served as Purdue University NROTC unit's Senior Enlisted Leader and Sergeant Instructor at
Officer Candidate School.
In July 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Calkins reported to 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he
served as Platoon Sergeant and led his platoon throughout Operation Allied Welcome in September 2021. He was then assigned as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant in December 2021 and promoted (frocked) in January 2022.
First Sergeant Calkins reported to 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion in August 2022 before reporting to 1st Marine Raider Battalion in January 2023 where served with Marine Special Operations Company C, Headquarters and Service Company, and as 1st Marine Raider Battalion's Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Sergeant Major Calkins was frocked to his present rank in January 2026 and currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Recruiting Station Twin Cities.
Sergeant Major Calkins earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Sports Management from American Military University. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).