Blake R. Ranshaw enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on 29 June 1998 and underwent Marine Combat Training at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class. Upon graduation, he reported to 29 Palms, California Communications School for training as a Radio Operator. Graduating the Basic Radio Operator's Course in December 1998, he received his first assignment to HQ Company, 2Bn, 2Mar, 2MarDiv (2/2), Camp Lejeune, NC and arrived in Feb on 1999. There he served as a part of the Forward Air Control (FAC) Team until 2002 and was then put in charge as the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Chief. During his time with 2/2 he deployed in support of the 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as a Corporal in 2001 and the 24 MEU as a Sergeant in 2003, where he deployed to Iraq. In August 2003, Sergeant Ranshaw was stationed with the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) aboard Mac Dill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida where he served as a part of the Ground Communications Platoon. There he served as a Section Chief providing tactical communications. In 2004 he was placed in charge of the development for the Joint Airborne Communications Center Command Post (JACC/CP), providing support to a commanding general staff with CS command and control. While stationed with JCSE he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2006 and assumed the billet of 0629 Radio Chief. In August 2007, Staff Sergeant Ranshaw was transferred to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, 3rd Marine Air Wing Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. There he served as the Radio Chief for Bravo Company Radio Platoon and was moved to the Transmissions Platoon as the Communications Chief, where he deployed with the Squadron for his second tour to Iraq. In January 2009 Staff Sergeant Ranshaw was assigned to Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard (MCESG) School in preparation for serving as a Detachment Commander. Upon school completion, he was stationed the American Embassies in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Lome, Togo, West Africa. In September 2009 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. During his tenure as Detachment Commander he was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for support of Operation Safe Return, more specifically helping with the evacuation of persons displaced by the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010. Additionally, Gunnery Sergeant Ranshaw and his wife also received a Certificate of Appreciation for their service and a Certificate of Commendation for achieving the Regional Detachment of the Year for 2011. In May 2012, Gunnery Sergeant Ranshaw was moved to the 11th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Cali fornia. There he served as the Radio Chief for the Regimental HQ Battery. In July 2015 Gunnery Sergeant Ranshaw was transferred to 9th Communications Battalion, Bravo Company. While a part ofBravo Company as the Operations Chief and Communications Chief. In December 2015 Gunnery Sergeant Ranshaw was selected for promotion to the rank of First Sergeant and received orders to report to 2nd Battalion 10th Marine, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  While there he deployed with Fox Battery, attached to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines as a part of Battalion Landing Team 3/6 in support of the 24th MEU. During this deployment, First Sergeant Ranshaw and Battery F were sent in to Syria in direct support of Task Force 9.7, Operation Inherent Resolve. In February 2018 First Sergeant Ranshaw was transferred to the Marine Corps Engineer School (MCES) where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Combat Engineer Instruction Company. In November 2020, he was selected to the rank of Sergeant Major and given orders to Recruiting Station Indianapolis where he served until receiving orders to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 in April 2022.

Sergeant Major Ranshaw's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (in lieu of 2nd award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (in lieu of 3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (in lieu of 2nd Award), and the Army Achievement Medal.