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Thibodeau promoted to brigadier general in National Guard
INDIANAPOLIS — On the heels of being put in charge of more than 2,200 soldiers, the Greencastle city building commissioner reached the one-star rank of brigadier general in the Indiana National Guard during a promotion ceremony Sunday at the Indiana War Memorial.
Commander of the 81st Troop Command, headquartered in Terre Haute, 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,” Carr said. “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.
Thibodeau deployed to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Prior 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,” 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, which were installed by his wife Kimberly and his mother Chris DeCamp, and epaulets for his shirt, affixed by children Johnathan and Addy, as well as 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,” Thibodeau said. “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.”
Thibodeau has been Greencastle building commissioner since April 2016. He is a graduate of South Putnam High School and has bachelor’s degree in Management of Human Resources from Oakland City University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
He has a background in government service, construction and transportation.
Headquartered in Terre Haute, the 81st Troop Command features a diverse collection of units: An engineer brigade, a military police company, two medical companies, a public affairs detachment and a response force comprised of soldiers and airmen who can respond to chemical, biological or nuclear attacks.