Matt “Vader” Blackledge is a retired Marine Corps Colonel, who served over 30 years of active duty in war and peacetime (1973-2003). Key highlights of his military career:

• Initially an Infantry Officer, who eventually became a logistician
• Commanded at every rank
• Completed tours on Recruiting Duty and the Drill Field
• Two tours with each Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
• At least one tour with each component of a MEF
• Tour with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Yugoslavia
• Tour as the Senior Marine representing the Commanding General, Marine Corps Pacific / Marine Corps Central Command in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Horn of Africa
• Final assignment was as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-4, I Marine Expeditionary Force during the planning and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom I
• In addition to 9 personal decorations, received the following awards:
  • “Admiral Ben Moreell Award for Logistics Competence” from Navy League of the United States (1994)
  • Society of Logistics Engineer (SOLE) “Field Award for Operational Level Logistics” (1991) — First Marine Corps Recipient
  • Secretary of Defense Superior Management Award (1990) — First Marine Corps Recipient (Team Leader)
• Nominated for the “General John A. Lejeune” Inspirational Leadership Award from U.S. Navy League (1998)

Key highlights of his civilian career:

• Project Manager of an international civilian workforce providing combat service support to Army and Marine Corps units throughout Iraq
• Logistics Operational Analyst developing logistics scenarios for use in training exercises by senior logistics planners and the staffs of MEFs deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan
• Developed Facility Recovery Plans for clients preparing for natural disasters as part of their Business Continuity and Disaster Management planning process