Matt Koetting served in the United States Marine Corps as an assaultman, machine gunner, joint terminal attack controller (JTAC), Marine Corps instructor of water survival (MCIWS) and Reconnaissance Marine. Matt served with 1st Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment during two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.

During his deployment to Afghanistan, Matt took part in Operation Moshtarak which was meant to wrest control of the city of Marjah from Taliban and insurgent forces. During the operation, he was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED). He was medically evacuated from the point of injury to Camp Bastion Air Base in order to stabilize him before moving to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and finally Walter Reed National Medical Center. During recovery, Matt underwent more than a dozen surgeries to repair damage caused by the IED blast and was awarded the Purple Heart medal by President Barack Obama.

Matt is not one to be held back by adversity, so he applied to screen for one of the hardest jobs in the Marine Corps, Reconnaissance Man. He completed Basic Reconnaissance Course and was assigned to the legendary 1st Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton, CA. While serving as a recon Marine, Matt attended the US Army Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA and the Tactical Air Control Party school at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, among others.

After completing his final deployment as part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Matt realized his ongoing issues with the injuries he suffered during his IED blast would make him liability to his team and he was medically retired from the Marine Corps.

After leaving the service, Matt worked in different industries while finishing his degree and used his experience to co-found Invictus International. His company provides armed and unarmed security options for various assets requiring their specialized service. He continues to support the military community by employing veterans that can bring real-world experience to a job that requires maturity and decisive action in stressful situations.

It was a pleasure interviewing Matt and I look forward to our future conversations on the Former Action Guys Podcast.

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Reference:
117 - Backpackable radio for tactical use
152 - Walkie-talkie style tactical radio
7-Ton - Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (Dump truck-sized military vehicle for hauling troops, supplies, etc.)
9-Line - CAS mission brief format
AAV - Amphibious Assault Vehicle (Also called Tracks)
ABC - ANGLICO Basic Course
ANG - Air National Guard
ANGLICO - Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
BLT - Battalion Landing Team
BRC - Basic Reconnaissance Course
CAR - Combat Action Ribbon
CAS - Close Air Support
CCT - Combat Control Team
CLB - Combat Logistics Battalion
CO - Commanding Officer
COC - Command Operations Center
COP - Combat Outpost
Corpsman - Navy medic attached to Marines
EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
FAC - Forward Air Controller
FCT - Firepower Control Team
FDC - Fire Direction Control
FET - Female Engagement Team.
FSCC - Fire Support Coordination Center. Where fire missions are deconflicted and approved prior to shooting.
GBU - Guided Bomb Unit
GLT - Georgian Liaison Team. Georgian military advisors in Afghanistan.
Hesco Barrier - Earthen filled barriers used to make or reinforce outposts
HMMWV - High mobility multi-wheeled vehicle
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
IOC - Infantry Officer's Course
JDAM - Joint Direct Attack Munition (GPS guided bomb)
JTAC - Joint Terminal Attack Controller
LGTR - LASER Guided Training Round
M-ATV - MRAP All-terrain vehicle
MARSOC - Marine Corps Special Operations Command
MART - Marines Awaiting Recon Training
MCAS - Marine Corps Air Station
MCMAP - Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
MCRD - Marine Corps Recruit Depot
MCIWS - Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival
MCT - Marine Combat Training
MEU - Marine Expeditionary Unit (Unit attached to ships for deployment)
MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (armored vehicle)
MSOT - Marine Special Operations Team
MTU - Marksmanship Training Unit
OCS - Officer Candidate School
OP - Observation Post. An area where forward observers spot enemy positions and conduct fire missions on targets
PB - Patrol Base
PGM - Precision Guided Munitions
PLDR - Portable Lightweight Designator Rangefinder
PosRep - Position Report
PSS-SOF - Precision Strike Suite Special Operations Forces. Targeting program.
RO - Radio Operator (Sometimes called an RTO)
ROMAD - Radio Operator, Mechanic, and Driver
R&S - Reconnaissance and Surveillance
S Shops - S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intelligence), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)
SACC - Supporting Arms Coordination Center (FSCC on a ship)
SALT - Supporting Arms Liaison Team
SERE - Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape
SOCS - Special Operations Capabilities Specialist
SOI - School of Infantry
SOTG - Special Operations Training Group
SVBIED - Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
Water Dogs - Logistics Marines in charge of purifying water and running sanitation facilities
VBIED - Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
VCP - Vehicle Check Point