Major Matkins, of Louisa, Virginia, was commissioned in May, 2003 from Virginia Military Institute. Upon completion of The Basic School and Communications and Information Systems Officer Course, he began his career as a Communications Officer.
Major Matkins’ operational assignments were II MEF, 1st Marine Division, III MEF, and 3d Marine Division and included four combat tours- two to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. His first assignment was with 8th Communication Battalion where he served as Adjutant before receiving a platoon. In 2005 and assigned as a Platoon Commander in Bravo Company, he deployed to Anbar Province in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Upon return, he was assigned to General Support Company as Operations and Executive Officer. He deployed in 2007 as an Individual Augment to Afghanistan and Pakistan where he served as the Cross Border Communications Officer for Combined Joint Task Force-82nd Airborne (CJTF-82) installing and operating communications between CJTF-82 and the Pakistani 11th and Frontier Corps. Upon completion, he executed orders to 1st Marine Division where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer in Headquarters Battalion. When 2nd Bn, 7th Marines (2/7) was selected to deploy to Regional Command- South in Afghanistan in early 2008, Captain Matkins deployed ahead of them as the Division’s liaison officer, RFI manager, and communications planner.
After 2/7’s integration into the battle space, Captain Matkins returned and was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (1st LAR) Battalion as the Communications Officer. Captain Matkins deployed with 1st LAR Battalion to Iraq in 2008 and participated in Operation Defeat Al Qaeda North II in Ninawa Province. In June 2014, Major Matkins was assigned as the Operations Officer, 7th Communication Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. In August 2015, Major Matkins assumed command of Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division. After a year as Company Commander, he was assigned as the Executive Officer for Headquarters Battalion.
Major Matkins’ staff assignments have included two Supporting Establishment tours. In 2009, he executed orders to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico where he was assigned to the C4 Branch, Science and Technology Division. He served as a project officer, deputy branch head, and branch head.
His second Supporting Establishment tour begin in July 2017 when he was assigned as the Executive Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.
Major Matkins is a graduate of the US Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Seminar and US Marine Corps Command and Staff College. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts in History (distinguished) from Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Military Studies from the US Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Major Matkins’ personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
He is married to his wife Lacey and has two sons, William, Jr. (10) and Robert (6).