Sergeant Major Putnam completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., in October 1991. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training and the School of Infantry, he was assigned to Company B, Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, D.C.
                    
In November 1993, Sergeant Major Putnam was transferred to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he served as a Squad Leader in Alpha Company.
 
In December 1998, Sergeant Major Putnam transferred to The Basic School, Quantico, V.A., and served as Platoon Sergeant for the Infantry Platoon and Company Operations Chief, Combat Instructor Company, Instructor Battalion. In March 1999, he graduated the Career Course as the Honor Graduate and was the recipient of the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Writing Award for his Leadership Credo.

In July 2001, Sergeant Major Putnam transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., for duty as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant with Echo Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion.

In September 2004, he transferred to Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, as a Plank Holder prior to that unit’s activation, for duty as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Charlie Company. In May 2005, he deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as part of a Military Transition Team.

In January 2007, Sergeant Major Putnam was promoted to First Sergeant and transferred to Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd), for duty as the Company First Sergeant and immediately deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in Support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 6-08.

Upon redeployment in February 2008, he was transferred and assumed duty as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant, Bulk Fuel Company A (-), 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group.

In April 2010, Sergeant Major Putnam transferred to 3d Battalion, 8th Marines for duty as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant. He was reassigned as the Weapons Company First Sergeant in July 2011. He assumed the post of Sergeant Major for 3d Battalion, 8th Marines on January 23, 2012. He completed two deployments in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM while assigned there.

In January 2014, Sergeant Major Putnam assumed the post of Sergeant Major for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 and deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program to Iwakuni, Japan.

In May 2015, Sergeant Major Putnam assumed the post of Sergeant Major for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31.

Sergeant Major Putnam assumed his current post at 2d Marine Regiment in March 2016.