Colonel Marcus “Steroid” Annibale was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Marines in May, 1991. He graduated from George Mason University, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. After completing The Basic School in Quantico in February, 1992, he was winged a Naval Aviator in October, 1994. He then underwent AV-8B Harrier transition training at VMAT-203 in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
From June, 1996 to July, 1999, Colonel Annibale served with VMA-513 (Nightmares), in Yuma. He deployed twice on back-to-back deployments with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), first in 1997 aboard USS BOXER (LHD-4) and then in 1998 aboard USS ESSEX (LHD-2) to the western Pacific and Middle East. On these deployments he flew in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and participated in numerous exercises.
From July, 1999 to May, 2000, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS) in Quantico, Virginia. He also attended the Tactical Air Control Party course and was certified a Forward Air Controller (FAC).
In May, 2000, Colonel Annibale returned to VMA-513. He held the billets of Pilot Training Officer and Operations Officer. In October 2001, he graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI) course. In anticipation of hostilities with Iraq, he was transferred to the MAG-13 staff in November, 2002 and deployed from January to May, 2003 aboard USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD-6) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He served as the MAG-13 Director of Safety and Standardization (DOSS), WTI and Training Landing Signal Officer (T-LSO). While embarked he flew numerous sea-based combat missions with VMA-311 (Tomcats).
In July, 2003, Colonel Annibale reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as an AV-8B Instructor. While at MAWTS-1, he served as the Harrier Division Head as well as the TACAIR Department Head.
In January, 2006, Colonel Annibale returned to VMA-311 and served as the squadron Executive Officer. The squadron deployed to Japan from July, 2006 until January, 2007 in support of the 31st MEU operations in the western Pacific. In June, 2007, he transferred to Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) at Quantico, Virginia and served as the Operations Officer for the Concepts and Plans Division. In January, 2008, he again returned to MAG-13.
Colonel Annibale commanded VMA-513 from August, 2008 until March 2009. The squadron deployed to Japan in support of III MEF from August 2009 to January 2010. Additionally, a Detachment was embarked in support of 11th MEU and executed tasking in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Colonel Annibale served on the Joint Staff, Pentagon from June, 2010 until August, 2012 as the Assistant Deputy Director for Operations (ADDO), J-36, at the National Military Command Center (NMCC).
He was then assigned as the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) Fellow to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) from August, 2012 until July, 2013 where he earned a Masters in International Public Policy.
In July, 2013 he reported to 1st Marine Air Wing, Okinawa, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5 for Plans and then as the G-3 for Operations. In July, 2015 he returned to Yuma, Arizona, where he assumed command of MAG-13 on 31 July, 2015.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with two Strike Awards, the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He has flown over 2,000 hours in the AV-8B and over 2,300 total mishap-free flight hours.