Lieutenant Colonel Burkman enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1988, and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California. After graduation in July of 1988, Private First Class Burkman attended the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and then reported to Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C. where he served with Bravo Company. In November 1990, LCpl Burkman reported to 5th Marine Regiment where he served with 2nd Battalion 5th Marines and 2nd Battalion 9th Marines as a Fire Team Leader and Squad Leader and was promoted to Corporal. During this tour, he participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Sea Angel in Bangladesh.
After completing his contract with the Marine Corps in May 1992, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Brigham Young University and subsequently taught in the Morongo Unified School District.
In January 1997, Candidate Burkman entered Officer Candidate School. After then completing The Basic School and the Ground Supply Officer’s Course, 2nd Lieutenant Burkman reported to 1st Supply Battalion, where he served as a Platoon Commander and the Assistant OIC of the Reparable Issue Point and later served in direct support of 1st Maintenance Battalion. During his time with Supply Battalion, he also served as a Supply Detachment Commander in support of Desert Firex in the spring of 1998.
In June 2000, 1st Lieutenant Burkman reported to the 15th MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) where he served as the Supply Detachment Commander and was promoted to Captain. During this tour, he deployed with the 15th MEU from August 2001 to March 2002, participating in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In May 2002, Captain Burkman reported to the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California where he earned his Master of Business Administration degree in Material Logistics Support Management. Upon graduation in December 2003, he reported to Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Total Force Structure Division and served as a Logistics Capabilities Analyst.
Upon being promoted to Major on 1 July 2007, Major Burkman reported to 4th Supply Battalion to serve as the Inspector-Instructor of Distribution Liaison Company in Washington, D.C.
During the period July 2008 to July 2009, Major Burkman served as a Civil Affairs planner for III MEF in support of the Philippine exercise Talon Vision/Phiblex and then returned to be the Inspector-Instructor for Charlie Company, 4th LAR Battalion in Riverton, Utah.
In July 2009, Major Burkman reported to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California, to serve as the Base Supply Officer. In January 2010, Major Burkman reported to Combat Logistics Battalion – 7, where he served as Company Commander Material Readiness Company, Remain Behind Element OIC, and Executive Officer. During this tour, he also deployed for one year as Executive Officer of the J4, United States Forces – Iraq in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
From July 2012 to May 2015, Major Burkman served as the OIC of the Field Supply and Maintenance Analysis Office – West. During this tour, he led an organization that re-instituted Assist Visits and Formal inspections of units west of the Mississippi and was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel during this time.
From 27 May 2015 to 11 August 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Burkman trained, deployed, and advised the leadership of the Saudi Marine Forces Western Brigade while a member of the United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia.
On 31 August 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Burkman reported in to 1st Marine Division and was subsequently assigned as the Executive Officer of Headquarters Battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel Burkman’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.