Michael Matos

Branch: USCG
Years Served:

Rank: E5
Military Occupation: Maritime Enforcement Specialist
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Twitter Handle: @Michael_A_Matos

Tell us a little about you outside of the military:

Michael Matos is a proud father, an NYC veteran advocate and a startup founder who teaches personal safety to communities at higher risks of experiencing violence/hate crimes.

Dedicated to serving the American public, Michael is currently a state leader with Veterans for Political Innovation, an organization dedicated to strengthening our society by reforming our electoral process.

Why are you participating in the fly-in with IAVA?

After seeing the progress IAVA has made in lobbying for veteran-supporting legislation, Michael was dedicated to return to DC and join his fellow IAVA advocates to ensure the veteran voice is heard by our elected officials.

How did your military experience shape you to be the person you are today?

Serving in the U.S Coast Guard was one of the earliest inspirations Michael had in pursuing public service as a lifelong mission. Throughout his 10 years of service, Michael conducted countless search and rescue missions which taught him to always put others before himself and do whatever able to assist them in their time of need.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you believe is the most pressing? Why?

Veteran Suicide continues to be an unacceptable normal occurrence within the veteran community and it needs to be eliminated.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you have the strongest personal connection to? Why?

Education benefits and support for the Student Veteran community remain a priority for Michael, who previously served as the President of Student Veterans of America at John Jay College. The transition from active duty service to the civilian world is a vulnerable time for service members. By encouraging and supporting their educational aspirations, we as a society can help ensure their personal success.

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