Justin D. Atkins is from South Carolina and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a 92-day reservist in 2007. He attended Marine Corps Recruit Training at MCRD Parris Island from May 2007 to August 2007. In August of 2007, he was assigned to Ammo Company (-), 4th Supply Battalion, 4th MLG, Greenville, South Carolina.
From August 2007 to December 2010, Corporal Atkins attended the University of South Carolina while serving in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In his time at the University of South Carolina, Corporal Atkins attended Officer Candidates School through the Platoon Leaders Course commissioning program.
In January of 2011, Corporal Atkins was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Following graduation from The Basic School in May of 2012, Second Lieutenant Atkins executed orders to 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) and immediately went to Combat Engineer Officer’s Course in Courthouse Bay, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed Combat Engineer Officer’s Course in September 2012 and was assigned as 8th ESB’s Officer in Charge of the Construction Shop. In March of 2013, First Lieutenant Atkins executed Temporary Additional Duty orders to Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24 and was assigned as the Engineer Platoon Commander. First Lieutenant Atkins was deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from December 2014 to July 2015.
In September of 2015, Captain Atkins executed orders to Facilities Maintenance Branch (FMB), G-F, Bravo Company, H&S Battalion, MCIPAC where he served as the Deputy Operations Officer and Operations Officer.
In July of 2018 Captain Atkins had the pleasure of being assigned as the Support Company Commander at Marine Wing Support Detachment (MWSD) 273. In the summer of 2019, Captain Atkins moved up to become the detachment’s Operations Officer. In the summer of 2020, Major Atkins had the honor to serve as MWSD 273’s Officer in Charge. In the summer of 2021, Major Atkins reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 to become the Aviation Ground Support (AGS) Department Head. Major Atkins currently serves as the Executive Officer at 8th ESB.
Major Atkins’ personal awards include the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Additional Professional Military Education includes: Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (DEP), Expeditionary Warfare School DEP, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (AGS) Course.
Major Atkins holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from New England College.