Sergeant Major Tholen enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2005, and completed recruit training at MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of Recruit Training, Sergeant Major Tholen attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina and Assault Amphibian School at Camp Pendleton, California. fUpon completion, he was assigned the Military Occupational School (MOS) of 1833.
In June 2006, Sergeant Major Tholen reported to 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as an AAV Crewman with Head Quarters and Service Company, Mine Clearing Mobility (MCM) Platoon and was promoted to Lance Corporal. In July 2007, Sergeant Major Tholen deployed with the 22nd MEU, in support of Company L, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) as an AAV Crewman.
In March 2008, Sergeant Major Tholen was assigned to Company A, where he served as assistant squad leader, fire team leader, and deployed to Al Ramadi, Iraq with 2d Battalion, 9th Marines in support of OIF and was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant.
In January 2011, Sergeant Major Tholen received Recruiting Orders and attended Basic Recruiter School, MCRD San Diego, California. He was assigned to RS Atlanta, Recruiting Sub Station Warner Robins Ga, as a canvassing recruiter and RS Jacksonville, Fl as a Station commander. Sergeant Major Tholen was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in July 2013.
In May 2014, Sergeant Major Tholen received orders to Combat Assault Company, 3D Marine Regiment, where he served as the first Section Leader. In 2015 he participated in operations Balakataan, Kalebra Kobra, and RIMPAC as the SNCOIC of AAV at sea transfer experiment and proof of concept exercise. In 2016, Sergeant Major Tholen deployed on the Unit Deployed Program to Okinawa, Japan.
In 2017, Sergeant Major Tholen was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and reported to H&S Co, 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California in support of the 11th MEU, where he served as the AAV Platoon Sergeant. In September 2018, Sergeant Major Tholen deployed with 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, Company I, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit for Western Pacific Deployment as the Mech Company, AAV Platoon Sergeant. From 2019 through 2021, Sergeant Major Tholen served as Company Logistics Chief and Company First Sergeant.
In February 2021, Sergeant Major Tholen was promoted to First Sergeant and received orders to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC where he served as the Battery First Sergeant for UDP 21-1 to Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning from deployment, First Sergeant Tholen received orders to Marine Special Operations Company L, 3d Marine Raider Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC in November 2022. He served as Marine Special Operations Company Unit Senior Enlisted Leader and deployed in OPERATIONS PACIFIC-EAGLE-PHILLIPINES MARSOC.
In January 2025, Sergeant Major Tholen reported to MWSS-272 where he currently serves as the squadron Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
His personal awards includes the Meritorious Service Medal , Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars in Lieu of 4th award, Navy and Marine Corps achievement Medal with one Silver Star in Lieu of 6th award, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of Charleston West Virginia.