Lieutenant Colonel Niedziocha enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1996 and attended recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, Marine Combat Training, and Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School. As a field radio operator, he served four years in Btry I, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment.
LtCol Niedziocha was commissioned via the Platoon Leaders Course. After graduating from the Infantry Officer’s Course he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment where he deployed to Okinawa, Japan and to Afghanistan. During his time in 1/6 he served as a Weapons Platoon Commander and the Anti Armor Platoon Commander.
LtCol Niedziocha was reassigned to 2D Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company (2D FAST) where he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as the boarding force Officer in Charge for Commander, Task Group 515.1 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Philippines.
LtCol Niedziocha’s next assignment was 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. In 1/1 he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and the Commanding Officer of Weapons Company. While in 1/1 he deployed twice to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR) with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Following his tour in 1/1, LtCol Niedziocha executed orders to joint duty at the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) where he served in a number of assignments to include J34 Support Operations Branch Chief, action officer on the Director’s Staff Group, Military Secretary to the Vice Director, and J33 Current Operations Officer. While at JIEDDO, LtCol Niedziocha deployed to Afghanistan as the Counter IED Officer for Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan.
Returning to the operating forces, LtCol Niedziocha was the Assistant Operations Officer at 6th Marine Regiment for Exercise Bold Alligator 2014. He was reassigned as the Executive Officer for 1/6 where he deployed with the 22D MEU. After his XO tour was complete he became the Operations Officer of the 24th MEU where he deployed to 5th and 6th Fleet AORs. Upon returning, the 24th MEU was quickly redeployed to Puerto Rico for disaster relief. LtCol Niedziocha also participated in Exercise Trident Juncture 2018, a two month long NATO exercise in Iceland and Norway.
His personal awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, gold star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University where he majored in Political Science, the Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Program, and Joint Combined Warfighting School.