MCJROTC

In 1984, Colonel Blankenship entered the Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course Program after graduating from Western Kentucky University.

Colonel Blankenship has served in various command assignments in both the Operating Forces and the supporting establishment, to include: Platoon Commands in Marine Wing Communications Squadron, Third Marine Aircraft Wing; Company command in First Marine Division; and Battalion command in Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA.

His staff assignments have included: Company Executive Officer, Eighth Communications Battalion; Contingencies and Exercise Officer, Defense Information Systems Agency-Pacific; Battalion Operations Officer, Seventh Communications Battalion; Aide-de-Camp, Commanding General III MEF; Deputy G-6, First Marine Division; Network Operations Center Branch Chief, HQ, United States Forces Japan; Regimental Operations Officer, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD, San Diego; Assistant Chief of Staff G-6, Marine Forces Pacific; and, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC .

Colonel Blankenship is a graduate of the following schools: The Basic School; Basic Communications Officer Course; Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course; Winter Mountain Leaders Course; Command and Control Systems Course; Marine Command and staff College (Non-resident); Joint Forces Staff College; Air War College (Non-resident); and the Naval War College.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies from the Naval War College

His personal decorations include: the Legion Of Merit, with gold star in lieu of second award, Defense Meritorious Service medal (with oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award); The Meritorious Service medal (with gold star in lieu of second award); the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation medal (with gold star); the Joint Service Achievement medal; the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement medal.

Colonel Blankenship and his wife Kristie have two daughters, Abigail, age 16, and Annie, age 14.

Sergeant Major Oufnac enlisted into the Marine Corps from Baton Rouge, LA and reported to Echo Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion, San Diego, CA in January 1994. After graduation he reported to Camp Pendleton, CA at the School of Infantry, graduating with the MOS of 0311. Upon graduation he reported to Chesapeake, VA for Marine Corps Security Forces School and gained the additional MOS of 8152.

In August 1994, Private First Class Oufnac reported to the USS Carl Vinson, Marine Detachment in Alameda, CA. While attached to the USS Carl Vinson, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and assigned as both a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) team member and Marine Detachment Silent Drill Team member. While assigned to the unit he deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike.

In February 1997 Corporal Oufnac was then transferred to 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton, CA. There, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan and was assigned a squad leader with Charlie Company and participated in Operation Cobra Gold.

In January 1999 Corporal Oufnac reported to 3d Battalion 1st Marines where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He deployed in support of Humanitarian Aid in East Timor and Operation Determined Response which provided relief in response to the terrorist attack on the USS Cole. In December 2002 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and assigned to India Company, Weapons Platoon as they deployed to Iraq in support of the Liberation of Iraq.

In September 2003 Staff Sergeant Oufnac reported to Drill Instructor School MCRD, Parris Island, SC and then onto school for Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS). Staff Sergeant Oufnac was assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. During that time, Staff Sergeant Oufnac trained recruits at the Combat Training Pool for a year. Upon billet completion he finished out his time at Parris Island as a Series Gunnery Sergeant. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in December 2006.

In June 2007 Gunnery Sergeant Oufnac reported to 3d Battalion 2d Marines, India Company as the Weapons Platoon Sergeant. Soon after arrival he deployed to Iraq in support of OIF. In July 2009, as the India Company Gunnery Sergeant, he deployed with the 22nd Marines Expeditionary Unit on a Mediterranean deployment and participated in Operation Bright Star.

In January 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Oufnac was selected to First Sergeant, and assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Battalion 2d Marines and deployed to Haiti for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster relief as part of Operation Unified Response.

In April 2010 First Sergeant Oufnac was assigned to Kilo Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion-East.

In April 2012 First Sergeant Oufnac reported to Combat Logistics Battalion-1, Camp Pendleton, CA for duty as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant. While there, he conducted the first Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) for a Combat Logistics Battalion. He was then assigned to Transportation Services Company, deploying to Afghanistan in support of the Marine Expeditionary Brigades closure of Camp Leatherneck.

In March 2015 Sergeant Major Oufnac was promoted to his present rank and transferred to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major. In January 2018 Sergeant Major Oufnac was transferred to Weapons Training Battalion, Stone Bay. On April 5, 2019 Sergeant Major Oufnac was transferred to command at Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, NC until retirement on January 21, 2021.

Sergeant Major Oufnac’s personal decorations include a, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and various other service and campaign medals.