Colonel Matthew F. Amidon, USMC, is the former Director, Veterans and Military Families at the George W. Bush Institute. Colonel Amidon lead the day-to-day efforts of the Military Service Initiative and the team leading our policy and programmatic work on veteran transition.
Colonel Amidon has served in both active duty and reserve capacities since 1994. As an AV-8B Harrier pilot, he deployed in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, at the operational and staff level. In his current reserve capacity, he serves as Assistant Wing Commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. 4th MAW operates from numerous sites in 14 states with over 7,100 personnel and 160 aircraft. Its mission is to provide combat forces in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, Theater Security Cooperation missions, training exercises and daily tasking in support of the active component.
Colonel Amidon completed his commitment to the Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery (COVER) Commission. COVER provided advice via its report to the VA, the President, and Congress, and examined the benefits of integrative treatments for the mental health conditions of veterans. The commission also analyzed the benefits of incorporating complementary and integrative health treatments in non-government affiliated facilities.
Colonel Amidon is originally from Stowe, Vermont and is a graduate of The University of Vermont. He earned his MBA at Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business in 2009. In 2012, he attended The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy where he earned a Master of Science. Colonel Amidon is married with three children.
