He was commissioned in 1989 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program at George Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs with a specialization in International Economics.

He also holds a Master of Science in Financial Planning, and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College.

Mobilizations include March to December 2003 to U.S. Pacific Fleet and June 2010 to July 2011 to U.S. Central Command.

Blackmon served as Deputy Commander of the United States Third Fleet from October 2019 to September 2021.

He assumed duties as Reserve Director, Maritime Operations, United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, VA on 1 October 2021.