Born in Faribault, Minnesota, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Pete Thibodeau enlisted in the Marine Corps on Jan. 9 2006 and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, Calif. where he graduated Platoon Honorman.
He completed training as a Combat Photographer at Fort Meade, Maryland and was assigned to 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan.
During his time at 3rd MARDIV he was assigned to the 31st MEU as a Combat Photographer and deployed to South Korea attached to 3rd Recon Battalion. Thibodeau was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of OIF from Aug. 2007 to March 2008. In October 2008 he was assigned to 3rd Marines as part of the SPMAGTFAfghanistan deployed to southern Afghanistan in support of OEF for 12 months.
During the deployment Thibodeau participated in Operation Kanjahr and was combat meritoriously to the rank of sergeant and named Combat Camera Marine of the year for 2009.
During his time with 3rd Marine Division he also participated in Balikatan 2009.
In March 2011 Thibodeau was assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Combat Camera as Photo Chief, where he also filled the role of Information Operations Specialist, Platoon Sergeant, Video Chief and Production Chief.
During his time at MARFORPAC Thibodeau went to Australia twice in support of Exercise Semper Fast 11 and Talisman Sabre 2012. He deployed to Afghanistan with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion in support of OEF as SOTF 82. Thibodeau went to Philippines again in support of Balikatan 2014 and to Maldives as part of a Mobile Training Team to train Maldivian Marines in MCMAP and Marksmanship. During this time he also completed Intermediate MAGTF 10 Practitioners Course gaining the 0551, 10 Specialist MOS and graduated Sgts CRS class high GPA and Gung Ho.
Thibodeau PCS’ed from MARFORPAC to Recruiting Station Twin Cities as a canvassing recruiter. While on leave waiting to check in he was selected for warrant officer. Th ibodeau spent his time at RS Twin Cities attending Warrant Officer Basic Course and Combat Camera Leadership Course.
In July 2015, Warrant Officer Thibodeau transferred to Headquarter and Service Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, where he was assigned as a Combat Camera Officer before merging with Public Affairs to establish the MCRDPI Communication Strategy and Operations section as the Visual Information Officer. During this time he successfully completed Public Affairs Qualification Course.
From July 2018 to May 2019, Thibodeau attended the Advanced DoD Visual Information Program at Syracuse
University for Military Motion Media making the Dean’s List both semesters.
Chief Warrant Officer Thibodeau is currently serving as the Visual Information Officer in the Communication
Strategy and Operations section at I MEF. He was promoted to his current rank of CW03 in August 2019.
Thibodeau’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat
Distinguishing Device and gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and Combat Action Ribbon. Among many, his top MOS award is 2009 COMCAM Marine of the Year.
Chief Warrant Officer Thibodeau is married to the former Lora Harter of Auburn, Illinois. They have two children, Heidi Irene and Peter John Jr.
(Revised: 15 APR 2021) Approved for public release