Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR

Former Director, Veterans and Military Families
George W. Bush Institute

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.

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Read the article Two-Minute Take: Ensuring economic opportunity for veterans.
Jan 18, 2023

Two-Minute Take: Ensuring economic opportunity for veterans

Featuring: Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR
Col. Matthew F. Amidon, Director of Veterans and Military Families at the Bush Institute, discusses how veterans who have transitioned to civilian life are trained leaders who are ready to enter into the workforce, but states need to do better at supporting their skill-sets to welcome them into meaningful employment and education
Read the article Veterans and Military Families: Ensuring economic opportunity.
Jan 17, 2023

Veterans and Military Families: Ensuring economic opportunity

By: Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR
A new Congress makes this the optimal time to take a fresh look at the strategies, policies, programs, and resources that can empower veterans and their families to successfully reenter civilian life and continue to lead for years to come. Our Nation needs them.
Read the article Veteran licensing and credentialing: Ensuring economic opportunity.
Jan 18, 2023

Veteran licensing and credentialing: Ensuring economic opportunity

By: Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR
About 3 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations between the attacks on 9/11 and the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. More than 200,000 military servicemembers return to civilian life each year. Some veterans and military families face challenges during their transition. These include finding meaningful careers and the educational pathways to get there, as well as accessing help for physical and mental health problems.
Read the article Alex Gorsky -- Encouraging Innovation at Johnson & Johnson.
Strategerist podcast logo with Alex Gorsky.
Jul 27, 2022

Alex Gorsky -- Encouraging Innovation at Johnson & Johnson

Hosted by: Ioanna Papas, Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR

Creating a culture of trust is critical at any company, especially one focused on innovation. Alex Gorsky, April and Jay Graham Fellow at the Bush Institute and Johnson & Johnson Executive Chairman, discusses how J&J's COVID vaccine came to be, why asking for forgiveness not permission is critical to innovation, and how his parents shaped him into the leader he is today.

Read the article Advancing Outcomes for Our Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Families.
Jan 14, 2021

Advancing Outcomes for Our Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Families

By: Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR
A new presidential administration and a new Congress make this the optimal time to take a fresh look at the strategies, policies, programs, and resources that can empower veterans and their families to successfully reenter civilian life and continue to lead for years to come.
Read the article Melissa Stockwell -- From Wounded Warrior to World Champion.
Nov 11, 2020

Melissa Stockwell -- From Wounded Warrior to World Champion

Hosted by: Andrew Kaufmann, Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR

In this Veteran's Day episode, we talk to U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell -- the U.S. first female to lose a limb in combat and now Paralympic Games medalist -- about her journey representing America both before and after active duty.