Major Robert J. Christensen is a native of Normal, Illinois. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program after graduating from Marquette University in May 2009. Upon completing Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, and Infantry Officer Course in 2010, Major Christensen was assigned to 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
From April to October 2011, Major Christensen deployed to the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as the rifle platoon commander for Company L’s 3rd Platoon. In 2012, Major Christensen was assigned as company executive officer and company commander for Lima Company, leading Company L during its conduct of Weapons Tactics and Instructor Course (WTI) and Mountain Exercise.
From March to October 2013, Major Christensen deployed to Northern Helmand Province, Afghanistan, for a second time in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as company executive officer for Company L. Upon return, he assumed responsibilities as assistant operations officer for 3d Battalion, 4th Marines before the battalion was deactivated.
In May 2014, Major Christensen left active duty and transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), while he started law school at Loyola Law School – Los Angeles. In December 2015, Major Christensen joined 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, and was assigned as the company commander for Fox Company in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
From 2016 to 2019, Major Christensen led the geographically separated company during its conduct of training evolutions in California, Utah, and Nevada, including Mountain Exercise and the Integrated Training Exercise (ITX), graduated law school and completed the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) Weekend Seminar Distance Education Program.
In June 2018, Major Christensen mobilized with 2d Battalion, 23d Marines and deployed to INDOPACOM from October 2018 to April 2019 in support of Unit Deployment Program 19.1. During the deployment, Major Christensen led Fox Company during its conduct of Fuji Viper in mainland Japan, the Korea Marine Exchange Program in South Korea, Marine Air Support Activity in the Philippines, and the Jungle Warfare Training Course in Okinawa.
In December 2019, Major Christensen joined Mobilization Training Battalion (MTB), an Individual Mobilization Augmentee unit with School of Infantry-West, where he was assigned as the battalion’s operation’s officer. From 2020 to 2023, Major Christensen completed the Command and Staff Weekend Seminar Distance Education Program and served as MTB’s executive officer. In October 2023, Major Christensen joined 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, and is currently serving as the company commander for Headquarters and Services Company.
In his civilian capacity, Major Christensen is the principal attorney at Christensen Law in Orange County, California, where his practice primarily focuses on Civil and Probate Litigation. He is married with three children and presently resides in Lake Forest, California.
Major Christensen’s personal awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.