Col Awtry is a native of Midland, Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995. Following recruit training at MCRD San Diego and Infantry Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, Col Awtry reported to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion for duty. As part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he took part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise in 1996 and WestPac 96-97. In 1997, Col Awtry was selected as I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Protocol NCO where he participated in Exercise Ulchi Focus Lens in 1998. In 1999, Col Awtry reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty in 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
In 2002, following completion of both the BOOST and MECEP programs, Col Awtry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Texas A&M University and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. In March 2003 he reported to The Basic School, designated an Infantry Officer, and graduated from the Infantry Officers Course in December 2003.
In 2004, Col Awtry reported to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment where he served as both a Rifle Platoon and Mobile Assault Platoon Commander. He supported Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in both Husaybah in 2004 and Ramadi in 2005. In 2006, Col Awtry was assigned to Region 4, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (South America) as an inspecting officer, then attended Expeditionary Warfare School in July 2009.
Col Awtry assumed command of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment in September 2010 and deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Musa Qal'ah District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan from September 2011 until April 2012. In June 2012 he reported to Manpower Management Officer Assignments, Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as the Company Grade Infantry Monitor and Head Company Grade Monitor.
Col Awtry graduated from the School of Advanced Warfighting in 2015, and again served with I MEF as a MAGTF Planner and Operations Officer for Task Force al-Asad in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE from July 2017 to April 2018.
He assumed duties as Executive Officer of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in July 2018 and deployed as a member Marine Rotational Force Darwin 19.2. In 2020 he served as the Operations Officer for 1st Marine Regiment during Exercise NATIVE FURY 20 before transferring to Camp Lejeune to become the Executive Officer of the 2d Marines.
Col Awtry assumed command 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines in May 2021, where his battalion conducted Force Design experimentation and deployed to Okinawa, Japan as the Unit Deployment Program East battalion. He turned over command of the battalion in May 2023. He graduated from the College of Naval Warfare in Newport, RI in June 2024 and served as the Current Operations Officer at III Marine Expeditionary Force till June 2025.