Rebuilding Warriors

Matthew R. Nelson joined the Unites States Marine Corps in 1998. Attending boot camp on Parris Island, South Carolina he graduated as the platoon "Iron Man" with the highest physical fitness score of the platoon. Following Basic Training, he attended the School Of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina graduating as a Machine Gunner (0331). Mr. Nelson was assigned to Walter Reed Hospital due to a tendon laceration and successfully recovered after two surgeries and a year and a half of Occupational Therapy. After his successful recovery he was able to stay in the Marines and was assigned to First Battalion Twenty Fifth Marines (1/25), a Reserve Unit out of Londonderry, New Hampshire. Mr. Nelson graduated Primary Marksmanship Instructor School (MOS 8531) on Marine Corps Base Quantico in 2001.

As a Corporal, Machine Gun Team Leader and Primary Marksmanship Instructor, Mr. Nelson volunteered for Active Duty in 2002 with Second Marine Expeditionary Force (2MEF). Under 2MEF Mr. Nelson deployed as part of Marine Forces UNITAS 43-02 (MarForUnitas) to South America aboard the USS Portland LSD 37 nicknamed 'Sweet Pea'. Conducting Partnership Operations throughout South America Mr. Nelson functioned as a Machine Gun Team Leader, trained over 500 U.S. and Foreign Personnel in Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship, Weapons and Tactics and also served as a Scout Swimmer for the Marine Forces Unitas Boat Platoon. Mr. Nelson attended Corporals' Course, Jungle Warfare/Survival School and received commendations from numerous South American countries while serving under MarForUnitas.

Two months after returning home, Mr. Nelson Deployed for the second time in 2003 under Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Nelson participated in Operation Noble Eagle and was a Member of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P) in Zamboanga. During this deployment Mr. Nelson served as Corporal of the Guard, Marksmanship instructor for the JSOTF-P and Machine Gunner for JSOTF-P Operations. For his efforts, Mr. Nelson received an Army Achievement Medal from the JSOTF-P Command.

Before leaving Active Duty for this period, Mr. Nelson volunteered to be screened for 1/25 Marines Scout/Sniper Platoon. After passing the administrative requirements with a 110 GT score, Rifle Expert, High First Class PFT, Combat Water Survival Qualified and no Non-Judicial Punishments. Mr. Nelson attended the five day "Indoc" selection, passed and was selected to join the Scout/Sniper Platoon.

In April of 2005, Mr. Nelson attended and passed the United States Marine Corps Basic Scout/Sniper Course receiving the Military Occupational Specialty of Scout/Sniper 8541 (Later changed to 0317).

After completing Scout/Sniper School Mr. Nelson deployed for the third time to Fallujah, Iraq in 2006 under Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Nelson served as a Scout/Sniper and conducted combat operations receiving a Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat 'V' distinguishing device for valor as a result of saving an Iraqi child and fellow Marine during a patrol that was ambushed in a small remote village named Hasa south of Fallujah.

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In 2008, Mr. Nelson volunteered for Active Duty and joined Marine Corps Training Advisory Group (MCTAG) out of Fort Story, Virginia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Nelson functioned as an E6 Staff Non-Commissioned Officer and assisted in the training of the 30-person team in all aspects of military skills. MCTAG deployed to the Ivory Coast of Africa aboard the USS Nashville conducting operations with host nation militaries.

In 2011, Mr. Nelson deployed for the fifth and final time under Operation Enduring Freedom to Helmand Province, Afghanistan where he functioned as Chief Scout/Sniper and Team Leader conducting Combat operations with U.S. forces and the British Special Operations Task Force.

Awards and Decorations:

• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (5th award)
• Nato Medal – ISAF Afghanistan (1)
• Global War On terrorism Service Medal (1)
• Navy Unit Commendation (1)
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1)
• Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (4)
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1)
• National Defense Service Medal (1)
• Iraq Campaign Medal (1)
• Letter of appreciation (4)
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal (4)
• Army Achievement Medal (1)
• Certificate of Appreciation (1)
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (1)
• Combat Action Ribbon (1)
• Navy And Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1)
• Navy And Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" distinguishing device for Valor
• Rifle Expert (6)
• Pistol Expert (6)

Schools:

• Basic Training
• Non-Lethal Weapons Training (With OC Exposure)
• School Of Infantry
• Jungle Warfare/Survival
• Primary Marksmanship Instructor
• Corporals' Course
• Sergeants' Course
• Scout/Sniper School
• Foreign Weapons Course
• Tactical Combat Casualty Care

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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors