Beau Mattioda is a former U.S. Marine with 13 years of service, deploying in support of combat and contingency operations spanning the Middle East to Eastern Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004, along with three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (one with Combat "V" device) and a Navy Commendation Medal. Beau concluded his military career in 2013 under the Voluntary Early Retirement Program, transitioning from active service while continuing to support the warfighter mission.
Following his time in uniform, Beau remained in the Virginia Beach area, where he served as an instructor at the Academi Training Center. There, he trained the next generation of military and security professionals in advanced driving, firearms employment, tactical operations, and protective services—translating real-world combat experience into institutional capability.
He later assumed responsibility for managing autonomous target systems for the United States Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms. In this role, Beau spearheaded integration efforts of autonomous targetry and advanced training technologies not only for the Marine Corps but across the broader Department of Defense. His work focused on leveraging emerging technology to close training gaps, address legacy capability shortfalls, and better prepare close combat forces to meet evolving near-peer threats—priorities that remain central to initiatives such as the Close Combat Lethality Task Force.
Operationally, Beau served as a Personal Security Detachment (PSD) Team Leader with I MEF Forward in Fallujah, responsible for the protection of general officers, advance coordination, and mission rehearsals while leading and developing 24 Marines. As Weapons Platoon Sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he led 42 Marines through complex ship-to-shore operations and routinely assumed the duties of platoon commander and company gunnery sergeant in high-tempo environments.
In addition to his operational background, Beau brings an elite competitive shooting pedigree. He was selected to the USMC Combat Shooting Team in 2010 but chose to remain with his deploying unit in support of Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group global missions. His shooting career began in clay target disciplines, earning him a competitive path that included selection competition in Colorado Springs for the U.S. Team at the 2009 Pan American Games and two appearances at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships in Sparta, Illinois. Sponsored by Turner's Outdoorsman and Safari Club International, his weapons expertise spans trap and skeet to precision rifle applications.
Today, Beau is recognized for his ability to bridge combat experience, advanced training systems, and performance culture development. Whether on the range or in organizational leadership environments, he is known for one defining trait: the ability to make the people and teams around him more capable, more confident, and more lethal in the execution of their mission.
Career Timeline
I MEF Forward — Fallujah, Iraq
Personal Security Detachment (PSD) Team Leader. Responsible for the protection of general officers, advance coordination, and mission rehearsals while leading and developing 24 Marines.
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines — 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Weapons Platoon Sergeant. Led 42 Marines through complex ship-to-shore operations and routinely assumed the duties of platoon commander and company gunnery sergeant in high-tempo environments.
Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group
Selected to the USMC Combat Shooting Team in 2010 but chose to remain with his deploying unit in support of global missions.
Academi Training Center — Virginia Beach
Trained the next generation of military and security professionals in advanced driving, firearms employment, tactical operations, and protective services, translating real-world combat experience into institutional capability.
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center — Twentynine Palms
Assumed responsibility for managing autonomous target systems for the USMC. Spearheaded integration of autonomous targetry and advanced training technologies not only for the Marine Corps but across the broader Department of Defense.
Present
Cadre instructor. Competitive shooter. Recognized for his ability to bridge combat experience, advanced training systems, and performance culture development.
Train with Beau
Beau has spent two decades teaching shooters at every level, from Marines heading downrange to civilians picking up a bolt gun for the first time. Check the schedule to train with him.