MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – After 30 years of loyal, dedicated service, Col. Peter M. Warker, deputy commander for U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command, retired today in a 2 p.m. ceremony here at MARSOC headquarters.
Col. Warker served in various capacities in the logistics occupational specialty and commanded at the squadron and group level. While on active duty, he earned two master’s degrees, and deployed once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq.
Col. Warker, a native of Reading, Pa., is a 1982 graduate of the U.S Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., whereupon he was commissioned a second lieutenant, and after The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, Va., was assigned as a logistics officer with his first assignment at Marine Wing Support Group-27, Cherry Point, N.C. In 1986, Col. Warker reported back to TBS to serve as an instructor, Staff Platoon Commander and S-4 Logistics Officer.
His next assignment in 1989 was as the Regimental S-4 for 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan. A year later, Col. Warker was transferred back to the states and was assigned to 2d Landing Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he served as Company Commander of Company C, Battalion S-4 and Battalion S-3. Col. Warker deployed from 2d LSB to Marine Combat Service Support Detachment-26 and MEU Service Support Group-26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, including participation in Operation Provide Promise, Turkey, on that same deployment.
In January 1994, Col. Warker served in the Logistics Plans, Operations and Strategic Mobility Branch of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. After three years at HQMC, he attended the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1997. During his studies in Ft. Leavenworth, he also completed a Master of Science degree in Management from St. Mary’s College.
He transferred to II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element in June 1998, and served as the G-4 Plans Officer, Operations Officer, and Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (AC/S), G-4. Two years later, he transferred to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), Okinawa, Japan, before assuming command in January 2001 of Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS)-172 based there. The command supported numerous exercises across the region and contributed to Operation Enduring Freedom. MWSS-172 was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s James E. Hatch MWSS of the year for 2002 under Col. Warker’s command.
Subsequent to squadron command, Col. Warker served at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and attended the Army War College, where he completed a Master of Strategic Studies. During July 2005, Col. Warker transferred to 2d MAW to assume the position of AC/S G-4 and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Assuming command of Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG)-27 in April of 2006, he then deployed from January 2007 to January 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, providing Aviation Ground Support, Counter Improvised Explosive Device/Convoy support and Security for Al Asad Airbase and 2d MAW (Fwd)’s Area of Operations. Relinquishing command in May 2008, Col. Warker reported to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command to serve as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics. He has also served as the MARSOC Chief of Staff and has just retired as the Deputy Commander of MARSOC.
Colonel Warker’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (gold star in lieu of second award), Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Commendation Medal with “V”, two Navy Achievement Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel Warker is married to Kathleen Murney, LtCol USMC (Ret.) and has a daughter, Megan, who resides in Northern Virginia.