Master Sergeant Joel Peaslee was born in Gardiner, Maine on 19 June, 1971 and enlisted in the United States Army on 5 July, 1989 as a Fire Support Specialist. After completing Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK, he completed the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery at Fort Knox, KY.

His assignments include: Fire Support Specialist, 1/77 FA, Ft. Knox, KY; Armor Company, Mechanized Infantry Company, and Combat Observation/Lasing Team Chief, 2/82 FA. 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX; Air Assault Infantry Company Fire Support Team Chief, 3/320 FA, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY; U.S. Army Recruiter, Augusta, ME; Battalion and Brigade Fire Support Sergeant, 3/319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC; Company Team and Battalion Fire Support Observer/Controller, Ft. Polk, LA; Battery First Sergeant, C/1-377th Field Artillery Regiment, Ft. Campbell, KY; and Battery First Sergeant, HHB/1-377th Field Artillery Regiment, Ft. Lewis, WA. He has deployed for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and for Operation Iraqi Freedom IV. He is currently assigned as the Senior Military Instructor for the University of Maine ROTC program.

He has completed the Battle Staff NCO Course, the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, the Jumpmaster Course, the Tactical Air Controller Course, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Combat Lifesaver Course, Airborne School, and Air Assault School.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Ribbon (1 BSS), the Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 BSS), the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the Army Superior Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Basic Recruiter Badge, and the New Zealand Parachutist Badge.