Graduating in March 1992 from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, Colonel Baldwin was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Navy ROTC program. After completing The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, and the Basic Combat Engineer Officer’s Course in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he reported to 7th Engineer Support Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California. During his tour with 7th ESB he held the billets of Platoon Commander and Executive Officer.
In May 1994 First Lieutenant Baldwin was selected for duty as Aide-de-camp to the Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force. Upon completion of Aide duties in June 1995, he assumed the billet as Engineer Detachment Commander for MEU Service Support Group-13, and deployed to the Western Pacific with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in April 1996. Upon return from deployment he transferred to Marine Corps Engineer School in Camp Lejeune.
While serving at Marine Corps Engineer School from January 1997 until July 1999, Captain Baldwin served as the Officer Instructor, Class Advisor, and Academics Officer for entry level Combat Engineer Officers. In August 1999 he was selected to attend Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, and upon graduation in June 2000 returned to Camp Lejeune to join 2d Combat Engineer Battalion.
During his tour at 2d CEB, he held the billets of Bravo Company Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer. In February 2003 he deployed to Kuwait and Iraq as the Regimental Engineer with Regimental Combat Team-7, participating in combat operations during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
From August 2003 until June 2004 he attended Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University in Quantico, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Military Studies. After graduation in June 2004, Major Baldwin was assigned to the J-4 Directorate, U.S. Forces, Japan, in Tokyo, where he managed the Japanese construction program for all tenant activities in Okinawa. Upon completion of his three year tour and being certified as a Joint Qualified Officer, he received orders to I MEF at Camp Pendleton.
Upon checking in to I MEF Lieutenant Colonel Baldwin was assigned to I MEF (Forward) in preparation for deployment with Multi-National Forces-West, and deployed to Iraq with MNF-West as the Deputy G-7 Engineer from January 2008 until February 2009. In August 2009 he was again assigned the role as Deputy G-7 Engineer for I MEF (Forward) and deployed to Afghanistan from January to May 2010, working with 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade for several months prior to the arrival of I MEF (Forward).
He received orders to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at Camp Smith, Hawaii, and in July 2010 was assigned as the G-4 Force Engineer Branch Head. During his tour at MARFORPAC he was selected for command of 9th Engineer Support Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. He assumed command in June 2011, and while in command deployed with the Battalion to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from November 2011 until June 2012. He relinquished command of 9th ESB in June 2013.
In July 2013, Colonel Baldwin reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island as a student in the College of Naval Warfare. Upon graduation in June 2014 he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies. He assumed command of Marine Corps Engineer School in Camp Lejeune during July 2014.
Colonel Baldwin’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award), and the Combat Action Ribbon.