Brigadier General Chalkley received his commission through the Platoon Leaders Course after graduating from Texas A&M University in May 1993. Following The Basic School and Motor Transport Officers Course, he reported to 7th Motor Transport Battalion, where he served as a Platoon Commander, Detachment Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, and Company Commander.
He was next assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in 1997, where he served as a Series Commander, Executive Officer, and Company Commander in 1st Recruit Training Battalion. He then attended the U.S. Army’s Combined Logistics Captains Career Course at Ft. Lee, Virginia.
Following completion of Career Level School in March 2000, he was assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), Okinawa, Japan, for duties as the Assistant Logistics Officer. After completing five deployments with the MEU, he was selected to serve as Aide de Camp, 3d Marine Division. As the Aide de Camp, he participated in counter-insurgency operations in the southern Philippines.
In November 2003, he was selected for an Individual Augment billet in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he provided service component representation and liaison to the Combined Forces Land Component Commander for the reintroduction of Marine forces into combat operations during OIF-II. Upon returning to CONUS, he attended the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, where he earned a Masters Degree in Military Studies and was selected as a Distinguished Graduate.
In June 2005, he assumed command of Recruiting Station Oklahoma City. After a successful recruiting tour, he joined the I Marine Expeditionary Force staff. He deployed to Iraq to join I MEF (Forward), serving as the Officer in Charge, MAGTF Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (MDDOC), Multi-National Force – West, during Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-2 and 09-1.
In January 2010, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan to serve as the Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan interim G-4 Current Operations Officer, and to facilitate the introduction of I MEF (Fwd) into Afghanistan.
In June 2010, he assumed command of Combat Logistics Battalion 4 in Okinawa, Japan. Under his command, CLB-4 deployed to Helmand Province in 2012 for combat operations in support of Regimental Combat Team 6, Special Operations Task Force – West, and other designated Regional Command (Southwest) forces during Operation Enduring Freedom 12.1. Following battalion command and a brief assignment as the Deputy G-4, 3d Marine Logistics Group, he attended the U.S. Naval War College, earning a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and graduating with distinction.
From 2014 to 2016, he served as Chief of Staff and Operations Division Chief, Logistics Directorate (ECJ4), Headquarters, U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
In August 2016 he assumed command of Combat Logistics Regiment 2. In November 2017, he assumed command of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa for the 18.2 rotation. Under his command, SPMAGTF-CR-AF 18.2 deployed in March 2018 for seven months of crisis response operations in support of U.S. Africa Command.
From December 2018 to June 2020, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and Chief of Staff, 2d Marine Logistics Group. During this assignment, he attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
From July 2020 to June 2022 he served as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics (LP), where he oversaw logistics plans, policy, and strategic mobility for the Marine Corps.
Brigadier General Chalkley is currently assigned as the commanding general of 3d Marine Logistics Group.