Major Petkus was born in Royal Oak, Michigan and grew up in Milford, Michigan. In 2004, he graduated from The United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. After attending The Basic School, he completed Ground Supply Officer Course in Camp Johnson, North Carolina. Major Petkus then reported to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the Battalion Supply Officer. In this capacity, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Qaim, Iraq in 2005 and Habbaniyah, Iraq in 2007. In 2007, Major Petkus reported to 10th Marine Regiment. He served as the Regimental Supply Officer until executing orders to Recruiting Station San Diego in 2008. From 2008 to 2011, Major Petkus served as the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for Officer Selection Team (OST) San Diego. In his first year, he was recognized as the OSO of the Year for 12th Marine Corps District. In both his second and third year, he received the Captain Robert Mullan Award for leading the top OST in Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Following his tour in San Diego, Major Petkus attended Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, Virginia. After graduating from EWS in 2012, he executed orders to 3d Supply Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. After arriving at 3d Supply Battalion, Major Petkus assumed the billet of Battalion Operations Officer. In 2013, he was the lead planner and Operations Officer for the Logistics Command Element in support of exercise Balikatan in the Republic of the Philippines. From 2013 to 2015, Major Petkus served as both the Supply Management Unit Officer in Charge and Supply Company Commander. While holding these billets, he simultaneously participated in two additional exercises. In 2014, he was the lead planner and Operations Officer for the Landing Force Support Party (LFSP) in support of exercise Freedom Banner in the Republic of Korea. In 2015, he execut