Lt. Col. Justin McPeak commissioned as an Infantry Officer through Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA in 2007 and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Ft Carson, CO where he served as an Infantry and Scout Platoon Leader for 1-8IN. During that time, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. In 2012, he attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection where he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course.
In 2014 upon completion of the SFQC, McPeak was assigned to lead SFOD-A 2334. From 2015 until 2018 he deployed multiple times to the CENTCOM area of responsibility. From 2019 to 2020, McPeak served with SOCCENT as a regional desk officer overseeing operations in Yemen and Qatar. Following his assignment with SOCCENT, McPeak served at 4th BN, 1st SWTG(A) as the BN Operations Officer.
Upon completion of his tour at the Special Warfare Center and School, he served two years with the Southern European Task Force-Africa in Vicenza, Italy as a Crisis Response Planner and G33 CHOPS. In 2024 he was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group as a J35 and Chief of Staff for the Joint Special Operations Task Force-FIC. After his overseas rotation with the JSOTF, he served as the Group Operations Officer.
Lt. Col. McPeak’s military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Special Operations Forces Captains Career Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger School and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He has a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University and B.S. in Chemistry from Florida State University.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/3 OLCs), Army Commendation Medal (w/ 3 OLCs), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.