[1] Prior to entering the United States Army, he served two years with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office.

His military career took him to Japan, Germany, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt and Afghanistan.

Adkins was awarded an honorary doctorate by the American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recognition of his service to that country.

In 2016, he was selected for induction into the Defense Language Institute's Hall of Fame in Monterey, California.

Adkins was inducted into the Maryland State Firemen's Association Hall of Fame in 2014.