was born in Columbia, MD and after graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1999, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After finishing The Basic School, he reported to the Naval Supply Corps School in Athens, GA and completed the Aviation Supply Officer Qualification Course.
In 2000, Second Lieutenant Watson reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 (MALS-36) in Okinawa, Japan where he held multiple Division Officer roles within the Aviation Supply Department. During this tour he deployed with the 31st MEU (SOC) on the USS ESSEX (LHD-2).
In 2002, First Lieutenant Watson reported to MALS 29, Jacksonville, NC. In January 2003, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, first aboard the USS BATAAN (LHD-5) and then aboard the USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) as the MALS-29 Detachment OIC. Upon returning from deployment, he attended the Logistics Operations Course and graduated with an additional MOS of 0402 (Logistics Officer). He then finished his time at MALS-29 as a division officer and assistant department head.
In 2005, Captain Watson reported to 3d/MAW, for duty as Assistant Plans Officer, Aviation Logistics Department. After planning the Class IX(A) Concept of Logistics for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07, he deployed to Al Asad in January 2006 as the Wing Aviation Supply Officer, 3d/MAW (FWD). Upon returning from deployment in 2007, Captain Watson served as the 3d/MAW Assistant Supply Officer.
In 2008, Captain Watson reported to Marine Detachment, Athens, GA, for duty as an Aviation Supply Basic Officer Qualification Course Instructor and the Aviation Logistics Tactical Information Systems Course OIC. In accordance with Base Realignment and Closure Law, he planned for the relocation of the schools to Newport, RI. After reestablishing the schools in Rhode Island and serving as the Executive Officer, he was selected to attend the Naval War College in Newport, RI. Major Watson graduated with distinction in June of 2012 with a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
In 2012, Major Watson reported to MALS-13, Yuma, AZ for duty as the Aviation Supply Officer, where he established the first organically supported F-35 retail-level supply support site in the Department of Defense. In November of 2013, Major Watson was appointed as the Commanding Officer of MALS-70, a provisional squadron. With detachments from six MALS, he formed a composite unit and deployed with them to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. There, he supported the combat operations of the Regional Command (Southwest). After a successful deployment, he returned to MALS-13 as the Executive Officer.
In 2015, Major Watson reported to Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapons Systems Support (Philadelphia) for duty as the Director of the AV-8B Integrated Weapons Support Team where he led his civilian team to reduce backorders by 69 percent. His responsibilities were subsequently expanded to include support of K/C-130, EA-6B, and F-5 aircraft.
Lieutenant Colonel Watson took command of MALS-13 in June of 2017. During this tour, he led his squadron to assume the leadership in integrating F-35 support into the existing aviation logistics infrastructure; standing up VMFA-122; and preparing VMFA-211 for the first F-35 combat deployment.
After relinquishing command in June 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Watson began a Top-Level School program though the Secretary of Defense Executive Fellowship. During this program designed to learn from corporate leaders, he was embedded at Insitu, a Boeing subsidiary and market leader in unmanned aerial systems. In addition to managing a broad change management portfolio at Insitu, his program included visits with executives at a dozen other Fortune 500 businesses, and routine out briefs to senior officials in the Department of Defense.
Lieutenant Colonel Watson was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Aviation Sustainment Branch in August 2020. Responsible for Aviation Supply and Aviation Information Systems, he established long-term campaign plans to guide both communities in the pursuit of strategic initiatives necessary to support Marine Aviation in the future.
In August 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Watson began serving as 1st/MAW Assistant Chief of Staff, ALD in Okinawa Japan, where he was promoted to his current rank in January 2022 and was subsequently slated as the next commander of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island.
Colonel Watson’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals. He is also the 2008 recipient of the Marine Corps Aviation Association James Maguire Award for Exceptional Achievement for his work on MALSP II.