Sergeant Major Robert D. Newkamp enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2000, and completed Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, California. Following recruit training Private Newkamp attended School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California and became an 0311 Basic Infantrymen. He was promoted to Private First Class prior to graduating School of Infantry-West.
Private First Class Newkamp was then assigned to Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, D.C., where he served as a ceremonial marcher for Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, and promoted to Lance Corporal on 01 August 2001
Lance Corporal Newkamp reported to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, where he deployed to Iraqi for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 as an Infantry Fire Team Leader. Upon returning from Iraqi, Lance Corporal Newkamp reenlisted and was promoted to Corporal on 01 September 2003.
In 2004, Corporal Newkamp reported to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as a Primary Marksmanship Coach and Primary Marksmanship Instructor.
On 01 February 2005 he was promoted to Sergeant and graduated from Primary Marksmanship Instructors Course later serving as a member of the Weapons and Field Training Battalion Shooting Team.
In 2007, Sergeant Newkamp received orders to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion where he served as a Chief Scout and was later deployed to Iraqi for the second time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.
In November of 2012, Sergeant Newkamp reported to Basic Recruiters School class 1-13, where he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on 01 December 2008. Staff Sergeant Newkamp graduated and proceeded to Recruiting Station Denver, where he became the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Sub-Station Littleton.
In January of 2013, Staff Sergeant Newkamp reported to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines where he became the Platoon Sergeant for Echo Company, 1st Platoon. In April of 2013, Staff Sergeant Newkamp was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, Weapons Company where he deployed twice to Okinawa, Japan as the Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Commander.
In September of 2015, Staff Sergeant Newkamp reported to the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Marine Corps Base, Hawaii where he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 01 July. Gunnery Sergeant Newkamp served as the SNCOIC of Sergeants Course.
In January of 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Newkamp reported to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines serving as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Golf Company, and in June of 2018 deployed with the unit to Okinawa, Japan.
In February of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Newkamp reported to Marine Corps Installations East, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Bravo Company, where he served as the Command Inspector General, Chief and was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant on 04 June 2020.
In June of 2020, First Sergeant Newkamp reported to 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, where he served as the Bravo Company, Company First Sergeant. In May of 2023, First Sergeant Newkamp reported to Marine Corps Engineer School, where he served as the Utilities Instruction Company, Company First Sergeant and was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on 27 February 2024.
In March of 2024, Sergeant Major Newkamp reported to Recruiting Station Denver, where he currently serves as the Recruiting Station, Sergeant Major.
First Sergeant Newkamp' s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, Combat Action Ribbon, and an Associates Degree in General Studies from American Military University.