Peter Proietto: To Defend and Serve

Master Gunnery Sergeant Peter Proietto has been a selfless patriot serving this nation since graduating River Dell in 1979. He joined the U.S. Marines after High School and served on active duty for one tour. After his initial enlistment, he was transferred to the USMC reserve where he was an active drilling reservist.

When war broke out in the 1990’s, Sergeant Proietto returned to active duty to serve. After Dessert Storm he returned to the USMC reserve forces.

After September 11, 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Proietto has made multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was presented with the Bronze Star for Valor for his service in Afghanistan in 2003 after manning his vehicle's machine gun for an hour so that his fellow Marines could seek cover during the firefight.

"Throughout this engagement…Proietto displayed himself in a courageous professional manner and his heroic and immediate response to enemy fire and willingness to jeopardize his own safety to provide supporting fire for the rest of the team demonstrated a level of dedication to the mission and his fellow soldiers, which is rarely surpassed," the award citation states. "His actions and selfless courage under fire was instrumental in the success of the operation and the safe return of all U.S. and Afghan militia forces."

Proietto currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Safety Division, at the Headquarters Marine Corps, since December 2008. In this role, he is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the USMC Suicide Prevention Program to ensure relevancy and impact of the program’s prevention message for all Marines. He coordinates command suicide prevention efforts and conducts visits as an adjunct inspector for the HQMC Inspector General.

Prior to this position, Master Gunnery Sergeant Proietto was a Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Task Force National Capital Region (2007-2008); Staff Non-Commission Officer in Charge of Special Programs, Special Operations Branch (2006-2007); and Chief Firearms Instructor (2005-2006).

He has participated in several professional trainings, including Ending Suicide.com Suicide Prevention Training course, Basics of Suicide Prevention Course, High Risk Dignitary Protection Training Course, Basic Field Firearms Officer Course, and Advanced Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Course.

Along with the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, he has also received the Bronze Star Medal (2008), Meritorious Service Medal (2004), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2003), and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2006).