Joe Matkins, of Louisa, Virginia, was commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Program in 2003 from Virginia Military Institute. Upon completing The Basic School and Communications and Information Systems Officer Course, he began his career as a Communications Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Matkins’ fleet assignments include 1st Marine Division, 3d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (twice), and III Marine Expeditionary Force (twice). Lieutenant Colonel Matkins has completed two supporting establishment tours. He served as a project officer, deputy branch head, and branch head at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory from 2009 to 2013 in Quantico, Virginia. He also served as the Executive Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island from 2017-2020. Lieutenant Colonel Matkins has served as a commander at the platoon and company levels, and as a staff officer at the company, battalion, regimental, and force levels. His most recent assignment was as the II MEF G-6 Operations Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Matkins has completed four combat tours. He supported Operation Iraqi Freedom with 8th Communication Battalion in 2005 and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in 2008- 2009. He supported Operation Enduring Freedom as an Individual Augment to Combined Joint Task Force-82 in 2007 and as a Liaison Officer from 1st Marine Division supporting 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines in 2008. As the 7th Communications Battalion Operations Officer, he joined Joint Task Force505 Headquarters in Okinawa and supported Operation SAHAYOGI HAAT, the 2015 humanitarian assistance mission to Nepal.

Lieutenant Colonel 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 from Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Military Studies from the US Marine Corps Command and Staff College.