Lieutenant Colonel Niebel was born in Bethesda, Maryland. He entered the Marine Corps in October 1992; following entry level training and designation as a Combat Engineer Officer, he reported to the 1st Force Service Support Group in Camp Pendleton, CA. He was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion where he served as a platoon commander, company executive officer, and Headquarters and Service Company commander.
In February of 1996 he was ordered to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) where he served as the Engineer Detachment Commander, MEU Service Support Group-11. During this deployment, he participated in Operation’s Southern Watch and Vigilant Sentinel in the Republic of Kuwait. Upon return, he was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group, G-3 as the Engineer Support Element Officer.
LtCol Niebel served as a company commander in the 2d Marine Division, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Lejeune North Carolina, from December 1998 to July 2000 and was subsequently distinguished as the Marine Corps’ Combat Engineer Officer of the year. Following company command, he served as the Battalion’s Assistant Operations Officer until June 2001, and then reported to intermediate level school.
Upon completion of the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS) in Quantico, VA, Lieutenant Colonel Niebel reported to Camp Barrett for service at The Basic School in Quantico, VA. He served in the Instructor Group as the Command Section Head, followed by Basic Officer Class Company Commander, and completed his tour as the Assistant Operations Officer.
In June 2005, Lieutenant Colonel Niebel reported to the 2d Marine Division, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion and served as the Battalion’s Executive Officer. He subsequently deployed with II MEF (Forward) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the G-3 Counter Improvised Explosive Device Division deputy.
In June 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Niebel was ordered to joint duty with the U.S. Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii and served as the J-4 Engineer Plans Officer and Exercise Related Construction program manger for CJCS exercises in the Pacific theater, until June of 2010. Following this assignment, he checked in to the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, CA, where he currently serves as the Commanding Officer, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel Niebel has been awarded the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Gold star, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.