Master Gunnery Sergeant Walter J. Blagg is a native of Willow Springs, Missouri. He joined the Marine Corps on 15 December 1999 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, and Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) at Camp Pendleton, CA, and earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0311, Rifleman.
After completing ITB in 2000, Private First Class Blagg received orders to 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was assigned as a rifleman, fire team leader, and squad leader. He was meritoriously promoted to corporal on 2 December 2001. He participated in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was reassigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, in November 2003 and promoted to sergeant in January 2004.
In March 2004, Sergeant Blagg made a lateral move to the legal community and reported to Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic for training as a stenographer. He graduated first in his class and earned the MOS of 4429, Court Reporter (Stenotype). Following stenography school, he was assigned to 3d Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 37. During this tour, he was selected to support several high-profile trials at Camp Pendleton, CA, including Hamdaniyah and Haditha proceedings. Upon returning to Okinawa, he attended Sergeants Course and was the honor graduate. He promoted to Staff Sergeant on 1 November 2008. The legal community ended use of the 4429 MOS in 2008, and Staff Sergeant Blagg was reassigned the MOS of 4421, Legal Services Specialist.
In April 2009, Staff Sergeant Blagg reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, for Drill Instructor School Class 3-09. He graduated as the second-place honor graduate. He was assigned to 3d Recruit Training Battalion, India Company. He completed five cycles as a Drill Instructor and two cycles as a Senior Drill Instructor. He was reassigned to Special Training Company, Support Battalion, in October 2011 where he was assigned as a Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and Company First Sergeant. He promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on 1 May 2012.
In November 2012, Gunnery Sergeant Blagg reported to Legal Services Support Team, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and assumed the duties of Trial Services Chief. In August 2013 he was reassigned as Court Reporter Chief. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (summa cum laude) in December 2014 from the University of Maryland University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus).
In August 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Blagg reported to Marine Corps Base Hawaii and assumed the duties of Trial Services Chief. He was reassigned as the Legal Chief, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, on 1 June 2016. He graduated from Expeditionary Warfare School and the First Sergeant/Master Sergeant Regional Seminar in May 2017. He was reassigned as the Legal Services Chief, Legal Services Support Team Hawaii, on 1 June 2017 and promoted to Master Sergeant. He completed the Senior Enlisted PME in February 2018 and earned the General Mattis Writing Award.
In June 2018, Master Sergeant Blagg reported to Fleet Marine Force Atlantic / Marine Forces Command / Marine Forces Northern Command and assumed the duties of Legal Chief, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. He promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant on 1 May 2022.
In July 2022, Master Gunnery Sergeant Blagg reported to Legal Services Support Section – Pacific. He earned his Juris Masters in American Legal Studies from Liberty University in May 2023.
In July 2023, Master Gunnery Sergeant Blagg reported to Legal Services Support Section – West. During this tour he was selected to serve as the 19th Legal Services Chief of the Marine Corps and assumed his current duties on 1 August 2024 upon reporting to Judge Advocate Division.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Blagg's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with silver star in lieu of sixth award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Blagg is married to the former Alicia Velasquez of Torrance, California. They have three daughters.