Retirement of Senior Marine Corps Civilian – Mattie Coleman

Arlington, Va. – The Marine Corps Installations Command (MCICOM) recently held a retirement ceremony to honor the service of 30-year federal employee, Ms. Mattie Coleman, Senior Program Analyst of the Command’s Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) Branch. The event – held September 30 at Henderson Hall at Joint Base Myer – was attended by more than 100 people.

Her contributions to the Marine Corps were numerous. "Mattie Coleman has been a driving force for change and solving problems,” said Col John Reed.“She was at the center of one of the Commandant's highest priorities: the realignment of forces in the Pacific. Her name and reputation for superior work spanned across the Department of Defense, most notably with the Defense Policy Review Initiative.”

“Mattie was indispensable as the Marine Corps Installations Command was established. Just having the honor to work with her gave me a daily boost that helped me stay focused on the importance of caring about our people,” said Col Todd Ford.“Mattie Coleman is the epitome of a Civilian Marine and exemplifies the Marine Corps ethos."

Ms. Coleman expressed gratitude to those at I&L and MCICOM for “providing a wonderful opportunity to work, learn, and grow within the organizations and the USMC. Working with you contributed significantly to both my personal and professional development. […] We shared a wonderful work relationship as well as friendship. All of your support made working here an enjoyable and rewarding experience.”

During Ms. Coleman’s 12 years supporting the Marine Corps, she also worked for the Services Branch (LFS), Facilities and Services Division (LF), Installations and Logistics Department (I&L), Headquarters Marine Corps. Later, she was chosen as the second staffer to assist the Director, DPRI Installations Implementation Branch (LFD) in standing the branch up to support the realignment of Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific.

Ms. Coleman began her federal career in 1979 as a sales store checker at Redstone Arsenal Commissary in Huntsville, Ala.She worked her way up through the Headquarters, Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA), taking on such roles as Director of Operations for the Northwest Pacific Commissary Region.

Her next goals are to enjoy spending more time with her family and helping Marines and Sailors put together effective resumes to enter the civilian world.