Greencastle building commissioner promoted to brigadier general in Indiana National Guard

Photo By Sgt. Alejandro Smith-Antuna | INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Brig. Gen. Patrick C. Thibodeaum, commander of the 81st Troop Command, receives with his new rank by his wife, left, during a promotion ceremony Feb. 10, 2019 at the Indiana War Memorial Plaza here.  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES

02.12.2019

Story by Capt. Caitlin Sweet 

Indiana National Guard Headquarters

Story by Capt. Caitie Sweet
Indiana National Guard Public Affairs

INDIANAPOLIS – A Greencastle resident and building commissioner officer reached the one-star rank of brigadier general in the Indiana National Guard during a promotion ceremony Sunday at the Indiana War Memorial.

The 81st Troop Command Commander, Patrick C. Thibodeau received his new rank from family members and Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, Indiana’s adjutant general, in front of numerous National Guardsmen, friends and family.

“It’s a significant step for Pat to move from colonel to general officer. He is well prepared for this,” said Carr. “He has significant experience at our Joint Task Force 81, which is the headquarters that Indiana uses for command and control of our significant natural disaster events. It’s a critical capability that distinguishes the National Guard from all other services and Pat has been with them in three different responsibilities and now commanding as a general officer.”

Commissioning through officer candidate school, Thibodeau began his military career in 1989. He has served in a variety of command and staff positions throughout his career, including the domestic operations officer for the 81st Troop Command. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Prior to his to rejoining the 81st Troop Command, Thibodeau served as the director of civil-military affairs in Indianapolis.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I am here today because of the countless people that have touched my life over the years,” said Thibodeau said in his promotion speech on Sunday. “Over the years I’ve taken some risks … I learned that simplicity is the most important tenant to planning and execution.”

During the ceremony, Thibodeau, since he is now a general officer, received his new rank shoulder boards for his jacket, epaulets for his shirt, a leather belt, a pistol and two, one-star flags.

“It is a privilege to be selected to serve as the incoming Joint Task Force 81 commander,” said Thibodeau. “I learned that soldiers will exceed your expectations when you care about the mission and you care about them. I would like to thank Maj. Gen. Carr, for his confidence. I am proud to join the ranks of the War Eagles.”

• Date Taken: 02.12.2019
• Date Posted: 03.11.2019 12:22
• Story ID: 313803
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US
• Hometown: GREENCASTLE, IN, US