~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~

Photo L00002: 1LT Matthew W. Donald was assigned as a platoon leader for the fourth platoon of the 64th Military Police Company in december 1994. After completing a nine-month deployment from July 1996 to April 1997 in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the 64th, 1LT Donald, assumed command of HQ Detachment, where he served until May of 1998 when he left for the Military Police Officer Advanced Course.

He began his military career in October of 1985 by enlisting in the Military Police Corps.  In April of 1986 he reported to his first duty assignment as an M-60 for the 295th Military Police Company, Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, N.Y.  In April of 1986 he was reassigned to the 4/47 US Army Air Defense Detachment where he performed as the senior military custodial agent in charge of security for the Nike-Hercules air defense system.  He was then reassigned to the 13th Military Police Company in Vicenza, Italy were he performed duties as a Military Policeman and driver.

  In January of 1988 he was assigned to the 572d Military Police Company at Fort Ritchie, Maryland were he served in a variety of positions to include; team leader, squad leader, desk sergeant, NBC NCO, reenlistment NCO, and assistant operations sergeant. 

        In August of 1991 he was awarded a three year Green-to-Gold ROTC scholarship and was subsequently commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate into the Military Police Officer from Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emittsburg, Maryland.  After graduating as the Distinguished Honor Graduate from the Military Police Officer’s Basic Course in December of 1994, 2LT Donald was assigned as a platoon leader for the fourth platoon of the 64th Military Police Company. After completing a nine-month deployment from July 1996 to April 1997 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the 64th, the Lieutenant Donald, assumed command of the HHD, 720th Military Police Battalion where he served until May of 1998 when he left for the Military Police Officer Advanced Course.

        After graduating as the Distinguished Honor Graduate he attended CAS3 at Fort Leavenworth, KS and then went on to Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA. After completing airborne training in March of 1999, Major Donald was assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) and served in a variety of S3 positions to include; Training Officer, Operations Officer, Air Officer and finally as the S3 for the Brigade. In April of 2001, Major Donald was given command of the 108th Military Police Company (Airborne/Air Assault), the only Airborne and Air Assault Military Police unit in the world. On Christmas Eve of 2001, Major Donald deployed with his entire company to Kandahar, Afghanistan for seven months and was responsible for securing and preparing detainees for onward movement in addition to conducting combat patrols in and around the airfield. The unit also provided troops for Operation Anaconda. Major Donald relinquished command of the 108th in November of 2002 and has been with The Buckeye Battalion since that time. During his assignment to Fort Bragg, Major Donald was also able to squeeze in time to complete his Master’s Degree in Business Organization and Security Management from Webster’s University. Currently, Major Donald serves as an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Leadership and is the primary instructor for the Military Science I class. His additional duties include; Logistics Officer, Ranger Force Advisor, and Ranger Challenge Coach.

       Major Donald’s military education includes Basic Training and MP Advanced Individual Training, Primary Leadership Development Course, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical NCO Course, Protective Service School, Military Police Officer’s Basic Course, Supply Officer’s Course, Master of Fitness Trainers Course, the Joint Deployment Officer’s Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, and the Air Assault Course.

Awards and Decorations Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with first oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation with first oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with sixth oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal with bronze star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award with first oak leaf cluster, the German Efficiency Badge in gold, Venezuelan Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge.

Edited from, The Ohio State University Army ROTC Buckeye Battalion, The Ohio State University Army ROTC.

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