Sergeant Major Peter D. Vargo was born in Southfield, Michigan on March 27, 1985. He graduated from high school in Marinette, Wisconsin in June 2003. On July 31st, 2003, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon completion of recruit training in November 2003, Private Vargo attended Marine Combat Training and then checked into school at Fort Lee, Virginia, for Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) training as a 1391 Bulk Fuel Specialist. In March 2004, Private First Class Vargo reported to the Green Bay Reserve Unit, Bulk Fuel Detachment, Bravo Company, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group.

Private First Class Vargo was promoted to Lance Corporal in October of 2004, promoted meritoriously to Corporal in October of 2005, and meritoriously to Sergeant in June of 2007. Sergeant Vargo filled various billets while attached to the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin until he volunteered for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Vargo augmented to Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, California, where he was the Fuels Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge in Fallujah, Habbaniyah and Ramadi, Iraq. Sergeant Vargo returned from this deployment in September 2008, and then he volunteered for his next deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For this deployment he was augmented to Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, California. Sergeant Vargo was attached to the provisional security platoon where they conducted wrecker recovery missions and were a quick reaction force throughout southern Helmand Province, primarily in Dwyer and Marjah, Afghanistan. Upon return of this deployment in October of 2010, Sergeant Vargo worked with the Inspector & Instructor staff in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Sergeant Vargo was promoted to Staff Sergeant in January 2011. During his time working with the Inspector & Instructor staff, Staff Sergeant Vargo was the lead coordinator for all funeral honors as well as Toys for Tots. In December 2011, Staff Sergeant Vargo volunteered for recruiting duty. He was assigned to Recruiting Station Milwaukee, Recruiting Sub-Station Green Bay, Permanent Contact Station Marinette, Wisconsin as a canvasing recruiter. After three months on production, Staff Sergeant Vargo was appointed to be the Station Commander of Recruiting Sub-Station Appleton in October 2012. Staff Sergeant Vargo was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in November of 2015.

In February of 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Vargo completed a lateral move and obtained the MOS of 8412, Career Recruiter. He was transferred to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where he served as the MEPS Liaison. He filled this billet until December of 2017, when he volunteered to return as a Station Commander for Recruiting Sub-Station Green Bay. After his second tour as a Station Commander, GySgt Vargo served as an Assistant Recruiter Instructor for the remainder of his time with Recruiting Station Milwaukee. Throughout his tenure on recruiting duty, GySgt Vargo earned recognition for RSS of the year for fiscal year 2015 and 2019.

First Sergeant Vargo was promoted in August 2020, and served as the Battery First Sergeant for Bravo Battery and Headquarters and Service Battery, 3d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. During this time, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan on the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) 21.1. In March 2022, First Sergeant Vargo transferred to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Weapons Company. First Sergeant Vargo deployed again on UDP 23.2 to Okinawa, Japan. While on deployment, he participated in the Korean Marine Exchange Program in South Korea.

Sergeant Major Vargo was promoted to his current rank in February 2024, and assumed his current position as the Recruiting Station Sergeant Major for Recruiting Station Richmond, Virginia in April 2024.

Sergeant Major Vargo earned a bachelor's degree in business administration through Southern New Hampshire University. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars in lieu of 5th award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold stars in lieu of 5th award and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.