Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Peterson was born in Mobile, Alabama. Peterson graduated from Satsuma High School of Satsuma, Alabama, in 2003. He enlisted in the Marines March 2004 and completed Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating from Marine Combat Training and Basic Vehicle Repairman Course he was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina until 2007. While at 2nd AABN Peterson was deployed twice to Iraq during OIF. Peterson was assigned to CLB-3 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii from 2007-2011. After Hawaii, Peterson was assigned to the Marine Corps Rifle Team at Quantico, Virginia from 2011 to 2015.
Peterson was discharged from the Marine Corps in Oct 2015 and enlisted into the Army in Jan 2016. Peterson was assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in 2016 and serves as an Instructor/Shooter for the Action Shooting Team.
Peterson’s military training includes Marine Combat Training, (2004); Basic Vehicle Repairman Course, (2004); Combat Life Saver, (2004); MK-154 Course, (2005); Intermediate Maintenance Course, (2008); Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course, (2009); Combat Marksmanship Trainers Course, (2009); Marine Corps Martial Arts Course – Green Belt, (2009); Sergeant’s Course, (2012); Foreign Weapons Instructor Course, (2013); Basic Instructors Course, (2014); Infantry One Station Unit Training, (2016), Advanced Leaders Course (2018).
His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (3), Navy Unit Commendation Medal (2), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Distinguished Rifleman Badge, Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, and President’s Hundred Tab (Rifle and Pistol).