Thomas L. Mattingly was born and raised in Springfield, Kentucky. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated from Company M, Third Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina in April 2006. He subsequently reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, North Carolina for Marine Combat Training. He was then assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida for MOS school where he completed the Aviation Support Equipment Course. He was then assigned to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, Jacksonville, Florida where he completed the Ground Support Equipment Electrical and Refrigeration course, earning the MOS of 6073, F/A-18 Ground Support Equipment Mechanic/Electrician. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal while attending MOS School.
Upon completion of school, Lance Corporal Mattingly reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina in February 2007 and was recognized as the squadron’s Marine of the Quarter. In August 2007, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. Shortly after, Corporal Mattingly deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program from September, 2007 to March, 2008.
In May 2008, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In June, 2008 Sergeant Mattingly reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and served as the 900 Division Ground Support Equipment Production Control Chief.
In December 2010, Sergeant Mattingly was attached as an Individual Augment to I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) based at Camp Pendleton California. He was deployed with I MEF (FWD) from March 2010 to March 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In July 2011, Sergeant Mattingly reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor Duty. Upon completion of school, he earned the recognition of Honor Man for Academics and Iron Man for physical training, and earning the additional MOS of 0911, where he was assigned to Third Recruit Training Battalion and immediately attended the Martial Arts Instructor Course earning his second additional MOS of 0916. In August 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and in September 2014, successfully completed his tour having served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor.
In August 2014, Staff Sergeant Mattingly reported to MALS-31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina where he served as the Continuous Process Improvement Chief, earning Green Belt Certification, Advanced Green Belt training and serving as the lead Yellow Belt Lead Instructor for the Tri-Command area.
In September 2015, Staff Sergeant Mattingly was selected as the MALS-31 Squadron Gunnery Sergeant, engaging in all facets of squadron operations and the 756 Marines and Sailors within the command.
Upon reenlistment in 2017, Staff Sergeant Mattingly was assigned to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Marine Unit, New River where he served as the Ground Support Equipment Chief and was subsequently selected as the Squadron Gunnery Sergeant. There he attended the Air Quality Management and Hazardous Material/Hazardous Waste Training Courses, earning his third additional MOS of 8056. In August 2018, Staff Sergeant Mattingly was hand selected as the Command Adjutant (Captain billeted) and subsequently recognized as the CNATT MARUNIT, New River Staff Member of the Year. In April 2019, Staff Sergeant Mattingly took over the duties and responsibilities as the Command Training Chief while continuously serving as the Ground Support Equipment Chief and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant. In July 2019 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29. In December 2019, GySgt Mattingly was selected as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor of Vanderbilt University’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps and reported for duty in February 2020 where he served as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor, Battalion Advisor, and Command Senior Enlisted Advisor.
In November 2022, GySgt Mattingly was selected for promotion to First Sergeant. He was frocked to First Sergeant on 2 December 2022 and assigned to Company L, Third Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. First Sergeant Mattingly served the Marines of Company L as the Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor, fostering an environment of personal and professional growth and development for over 50 Drill Instructors who transformed over 1,000 recruits into United States Marines.
In March 2024, he was selected to serve as the First Sergeant of Drill Instructor School.
First Sergeant Mattingly’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 gold star in lieu of 2nd award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th award, and various other campaign and unit awards.