Jesse R. Walden is a native of Oklahoma and enlisted in the Marine Corps from Muskogee, Oklahoma in November of 2003. Upon graduation of recruit training, Private Walden was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California and obtained the MOS of 0311. Private Walden received orders to 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Twenty-nine Palms, California. While with 3d LAR Bn, Private Walden served as rifleman and squad automatic rifleman for the Comanche Company. In August of 2004, Private First Class Walden deployed to Iraq in support of OIF-2.

Upon returning to California in May of 2005, Lance Corporal Walden attended Fire Team Lea ders Course, and in December of 2005 participated in a Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan in support of the 31st MEU, Special Operations Capable and served as a Squad Leader. During that deployment Lance Corporal Walden participated in humanitarian operations is Southern Leyte, Philippines.

In June 2006, Corporal Walden returned to Twenty-nine Palms and attended Infantry Squad Leaders Course and assumed the duties as Company Chief Scout. In September 2007, Sergeant Walden deployed to Iraq in Support of OIF 06-08 and served along Iraq's western borders in efforts to combat insurgent activity coming in and out of Syria.

In April 2008, Sergeant Walden returned to Twenty-nine Palms and attended Infantry Unit Leaders Course and assumed the duties as Infantry Platoon Sergeant. In March of 2009 Sergeant Walden deployed to Iraq in support of OIF 9.1 and served in Sal Sinjar and Tal Afar. During this deployment Sergeant Walden conducted rear security for retrograde operations.

In October of 2009, Sergeant Walden returned to Twenty-nine Palms and assumed duties as Company Chief Scout and briefly Company Operations Chief. In December of 2010, Sergeant Walden deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF 10.2 in Southern Helmond. During this deployment Sergeant Walden was combat meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant after months of engaging the Taliban along the Pakistan border.

In May 2011, Staff Sergeant Walden returned to Twenty-nine Palms and assumed duties as Infantry Platoon Sergeant. In April 2012, Staff Sergeant Walden deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF 12.1/12.2 and was charged with conducting Combat Outpost operations from COP Castle with only a platoon size element. Staff Sergeant Walden would return from this deployment in October of 2012 and attend Career Course in Camp Pendleton, California.

In July 2013, Staff Sergeant Walden received orders to Marine Security Guard School class 5-13 as a student detachment commander. Upon graduating with class 5 -13 as the honor graduate, he was issued orders to Chengdu, China as the Detachment Commander. In March 2015 Staff Walden was transferred and assumed the role of Detachment Commander in Havana, Cuba. During Staff Sergeant Walden's tour in Havana, Cuba he was selected the Detachment Commander of the year for 2015 and meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

In August 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Walden was assigned orders to Inspector-Inspector Duty for Company I, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines in Johnson City, Tennessee as the Company Operations Chief. In July of 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Walden deployed as the only active duty Marine with a reserve infantry platoon to South Africa. In July of 2018 Gunnery Sergeant Walden attended and graduated from Advance School. In December of 2018 Gunnery Sergeant Walden was selected for promotion to First Sergeant and received orders to 2nd Supply Battalion.

In March of 2019, First Sergeant Walden reported to 2nd Supply Battalion, 2d Marine Logistics Group and served as the Supply Company First Sergeant until April 2022 when he received orders to Inspector-Inspector Duty for Company I, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines in Johnson City, Tennessee as the Inspector - Instructor First Sergeant. In July of 2023 was selected and frocked to Sergeant Major and recieved orders to VMA-231.

Sergeant Major Walden holds an Associate of Art in Counter Terrorism Studies, an undergraduate studies certificate in Wildlife Management, and a Bachelors of Art in Homeland Security from American Military University.

Sergeant Major Walden's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 4 gold stars in lieu of fifth award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/V and gold stars in lieu of third award, and Combat Action Ribbon w/ gold star in lieu of second award.