He retired from the United States Army on 31 January 2012, after nearly 40 years of service, and was succeeded as Vice Chief of Staff by General Lloyd J. Austin III.

Chiarelli was born in Seattle, Washington, on 23 March 1950, and graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1968.

[1] He is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Seattle University Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

[5] Chiarelli is currently CEO of One Mind, which is dedicated to benefiting all affected by brain illness and injury through fostering fundamental changes – using open science principles and creating global public-private partnerships among governmental, corporate, scientific and philanthropic communities – that will radically accelerate the development and implementation of improved diagnostics, treatments and cures – while eliminating the stigma that comes with mental illness.

[7] The Hero of Military Medicine Award was presented 4 May 2011, to Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli for his efforts to help Soldiers with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.