Colonel Matt Leclair’s military service began as an enlisted Ranger in the 1st Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment from 1994-1999, which he believes was the foundation for not only his military career but also his adult life. He received a Green-to-Gold scholarship and attended Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia, receiving a degree in Computer Science. He later earned a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University in Administration with a focus on strategic leadership.
Col. Leclair attended Infantry Officer Basic Course in 2003 and was assigned to the 1/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 82nd Airborne Division. There he served as a platoon leader, executive officer, and air operations officer. Following the Infantry career course in 2005, he was again selected for assignment to 1-Panther, 1/505th, and served as the assistant operations officer and company commander. Col. Leclair earned the opportunity to once again serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2009 -2013 as 1/75th logistics officer and Charlie Company Commander. Following Command & General Staff College, Col. Leclair was selected for assignment to 1/503rd “First Rock” in the 173rd in Vicenza, Italy. He served as the battalion executive officer for 24 months operating in every country in Europe, from Spain to Bulgaria to Latvia. The pinnacle of his leadership experiences was as the Commander of the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Col. Leclair is a career military professional with over 29 years of active service. His most recent responsibilities were supporting the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida. Col. Leclair is now a senior Army fellow at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. Following his current assignment, he will assume command of the 196th Infantry Brigade, the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center at Ft. Shafter Hawaii.
