LtCol Powledge was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1995 after graduating from San Diego State University in California. Following The Basic School and Infantry Officer’s Course, LtCol Powledge was assigned to 3d Battalion, 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as a platoon commander and executive officer from 1997 to 2000. During this period, LtCol Powledge deployed with the 24th and 22d Marine Expeditionary Units as part of the small boat company raid force.
In 2000, LtCol Powledge was assigned to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia for duty as a tactics instructor in the school’s Warfighting Group. In 2001, he was reassigned to Echo Company for duty as a staff platoon commander. In 2002, he was transferred from the Basic Officers Course to the Infantry Officers Course for duty as a tactics instructor. In 2003, LtCol Powledge moved to Fort Benning, Georgia to attend the US Army’s Infantry Captain’s Career Course where he graduated with honors.
In August of 2003, LtCol Powledge joined 3d Battalion, 7th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California for duty as the Weapons Company Commander. While serving in this capacity, he deployed to Al Qaim, Iraq in 2004 and to Ramadi, Iraq in 2005-06 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In July of 2006, LtCol Powledge transferred to Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia for duty as a staff officer. In 2009, he moved back to Quantico, Virginia to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he earned a Master’s Degree in Military Studies. Following graduation, he remained in Quantico to attend the School of Advanced Warfighting and earned a Master’s Degree in Operational Studies.
In 2011, LtCol Powledge was assigned to I MEF, G5 as a plans officer. In October of 2011, he was transferred from I MEF to 1st Marine Division to serve as the G-3 Future Operations Officer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Upon return from his Afghan deployment in December of 2012, LtCol Powledge moved back to the I MEF staff to serve as the Deputy G-5. He remained in this position until moving to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in December of 2013 to take command of 3d Battalion, 2d Marines.
Lieutenant Colonel Powledge’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device (with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award), the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.