col eatman

Colonel (retired) Matt Eatman is entering his 9th year teaching at Wade Hampton High School.

Colonel Eatman enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1984 as an aerial gunner on special operations AC-130a ‘Spectre’ gunships. He later transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard and served as an aircraft armament systems specialist for A-7d fighter aircraft.

Colonel Eatman graduated Colorado State University in 1988 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served most of his career as a security forces officer responsible for conducting law enforcement, nuclear/aircraft/ base security, nuclear weapons recapture, air base defense, antiterrorism and fly-away security missions. His security forces assignments included five squadron command tours, two at deployed locations in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM. Staff tours included Headquarters Air Mobility Command where he deployed again in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH as the United States Central Command Air Base Defense Officer for a vulnerability assessment team and culminated as the Chief of Contingency Operations; Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon serving as the Chief of Nuclear/Physical Security Policy; and Headquarters United States Special Operations Command where he was the Headquarters Commandant and, upon promotion, the Inspector General. His final assignment was as a group commander leading six squadrons and approximately 2,200 personnel.

Colonel Eatman earned a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Colorado State University, a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He attended both the US Army Command and General Staff College and US Army War College in residence.

Individual Decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Colonel Eatman was stationed in England and Germany. Additionally, he served a year and a half at various bases throughout the Middle-East and has participated in missions in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Korea and Mexico.

In addition to spending time with his wife of 34 years and their grown children, Colonel Eatman enjoys fly fishing and hunting. In his spare time he builds split bamboo fly rods. This will be his final year of teaching as he embraces retirement and an opportunity to to train and travel with his English Setter to hunt game birds.