Sergeant Major Bland is a native of Medina, OH. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 December 2002, and attended recruit training at 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.
Upon completion of follow-on training at Camp Geiger, NC in April 2003, he was ordered to report for instruction at the Aviation Supply Course, Meridian, Mississippi. Upon graduation, he was assigned the Primary Military Occupational Specialty of 6672, Aviation Supply Specialist and received orders in August 2003, to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron One, 1st Marine Aircraft Group, Okinawa, Japan for duty as the Aviation Logistics Department Material Readiness administrator.
In January 2005, Sergeant Major Bland reported to Marine Transport Squadron One, 2d Marine Aircraft Group, Cherry Point, North Carolina.
In January 2006, Sergeant Major Bland reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Okinawa, Japan serving as the Supply Management Division noncommissioned officer in charge. From January 2007 to August 2007, Sergeant Major Bland was deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In January 2008, Sergeant Major Bland reported to Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor duty where he served in the billets of Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Marine Corps Instructor Trainer of Water Survival.
In November 2011, Sergeant Major Bland reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Beaufort, SC where he served as the SNCOIC in the Supply Response Division and the Supply Accounting Division. Sergeant Major Bland deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan from June 2013 to August 2013. In September 2013, Sergeant Major Bland resumed duties as the SRD SNCOIC and SAD SNCOIC before assuming the billet of Squadron Gunnery Sergeant.
In April 2015 Sergeant Major Bland reported to Officer Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia, where he served as a Sergeant Instructor, in Company A, 5th platoon. In September 2015, Sergeant Major Bland moved to Company C, 2d platoon to be a Sergeant Instructor. In January 2016, Sergeant Major Bland became a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, 2d platoon. In June 2016, Sergeant Major Bland was selected to serve as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Company D. In November 2016, Sergeant Major Bland was hand selected to serve as the Battalion Drill Master. In June 2018, Sergeant Major Bland took over as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company 1stSgt for Headquarters and Service Company.
In April 2019 Sergeant Major Bland reported to Detachment 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, Kaneohe Bay, HI to assume the billet of the Detachment First Sergeant. In May 2021 Sergeant Major Bland completed the Basic Airborne Course. In April 2022 Sergeant Major Bland reported to 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, to assume the billet of Company First Sergeant in C Co. In January of 2023, Sergeant Major Bland assumed the billet of Company First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company.
In December 2023, Sergeant Major Bland reported to 2d Distribution Support Battalion, to assume the billet as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
In January 2025, Sergeant Major Bland reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 8, to assume the billet as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Sergeant Major Bland is currently serving in this capacity.
Sergeant Major Bland's personal awards include the following: Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various service and campaign medals.