2026 Combat Development Awards Recipients
Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Officer of the Year
Maj Nicholas W. Leeds
Major Leeds attended Washington State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Mathematics and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May of 2011 through the University of Idaho/Washington State University NROTC program. He attended The Basic School in Quantico, VA as part of Bravo Company, 2-12 and graduated the Basic Officer Course in July 2012. Major Leeds attended the Infantry Officer Course 1-13 and graduated in December of 2012. Major Leeds reported to 3d Battalion, 7th Marines in January of 2013 where he was assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander with India Company. Major Leeds deployed to Afghanistan in September 2013 and redeployed in April 2014. After redeployment, Major Leeds was assigned as Weapons Platoon Commander, India Company. Major Leeds deployed to Special Purpose MAGTF-CR-CC in April 2015 and redeployed in October 2015. Major Leeds reported to Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West in February 2016 and was initially assigned the Officer in Charge (OIC) for Advanced Infantry Marine Course, Advanced Machinegun Course, Advanced Mortarman Course, Advanced Anti-Tank Missile Gunner Course, and Advanced Assault Marine Course. In mid-2017, Major Leeds was assigned as the OIC for Infantry Unit Leader Course, Infantry Small Unit Leader Course, Combat Hunter Trainer Course, and Scout Sniper Course. For the final 6 months of this tour, Major Leeds was the Company Commander for Infantry Unit Leader Training Company and oversaw all of the above-mentioned courses. Major Leeds reported to 2d Battalion, 7th Marines in February 2019 and was assigned as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. Major Leeds deployed in this capacity to again support SPMAGTF-CR-CC in September 2019 and redeployed in June 2020. Upon redeployment, Major Leeds assumed command of Weapons Company and remained in the billet until July 2021. Major Leeds reported to Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG) in July 2021. Initially assigned to the Maneuver Section, Major Leeds achieved his Basic Maneuver, Advanced Maneuver, R410A Day and Night Corridor, and R400 Corridor Qualification. In June 2022, Major Leeds assumed the billet as the Assistant Operations Officer for TTECG. In this capacity, he achieved becoming a Movement-To-Contact, MAGTF Distributed Maneuver Exercise, and MAGTF Warfare Exercise Corridor. Major Leeds reported to the 22d MEU Command Element in July 2023 as the Assistant Operations Officer. Prior to commencement of the MEU’s PTP, Major Leeds deployed to Italy to serve as part of the Task Force 61/2 HQ as the Assistant Operations Officer/Current Operations Officer. Returning from TF 61/2, Major Leeds conducted the MEU PTP and deployed from August 2025 to March 2026 in support of US Southern Command. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Staff Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
MGySgt Patrick D. Keeling
Master Sergeant Keeling was born in Effingham, Illinois, on February 9, 1985. He was raised in Vandalia, Illinois, where he graduated from Vandalia Community High School in 2003. In June 2004, Master Sergeant Keeling attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Following completion of the School of Infantry and Basic Security Guard Course, he was assigned as a Team Leader with 1st Platoon, 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST), Camp Allen, Virginia. From 2005 to 2006, he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Manama, Bahrain. From 2006 to 2009, he served as a Squad Leader with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on the Fallujah Peninsula. After graduating from the Basic Reconnaissance Course in October 2009, Master Sergeant Keeling was assigned to Company A, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion as a Team Leader. In November 2010, he deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In August 2011, he was assigned to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company as a Team Leader. In March 2013, he deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as part of the Force Reconnaissance Detachment. Upon returning from deployment in October 2013, Master Sergeant Keeling received orders to Company C, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion for Inspector-Instructor duty, serving as the Operations Chief from December 2013 to December 2016. Following completion of Inspector-Instructor duty, he returned to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant. After completing the Operations and Tactics Instructor Course, he was assigned to Charlie Company, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion as the Company Operations Chief. From December 2018 through July 2019, he deployed as the Operations Chief for the Maritime Raid Force (MRF) with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit. From August 2019 through March 2021, Master Sergeant Keeling served as the Operations Chief for the Airborne Mobile Training Team (AMTT), Weapons Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. In March 2021, he transferred to Combat Development and Integration (CD&I), serving as the Reconnaissance Capabilities Integration Officer (CIO) until January 2025. In January 2025, Master Sergeant Keeling executed a permanent change of station to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, where he initially served as the Battalion Training Chief within the Operations Section. Shortly after arrival, he transferred to Company Band deployed with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Company Operations Chief, conducting operations in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. Upon return from deployment, Master Sergeant Keeling was assigned as the 2d Reconnaissance Battalion Operations Chief, where he currently serves. Master Sergeant Keeling’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a “V” and three gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a “V” and one gold star, the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Master Sergeant Keeling has been married for 19 years and has five children.
Navy Expeditionary Warfare Officer of the Year
LCDR Tyler Biggs
LCDR Tyler “Ty” Biggs is a native of Durham, North Carolina and graduate of Brevard College. Upon graduation, LCDR Biggs attended Officer Candidate School at OTCN, Newport, RI, commissioning as an Ensign in 2014. His Division Officer tours were on USS MONTEREY (CG 61) as Electrical Officer and Auxiliary Officer, and USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) as Assistant First Lieutenant and Anti-terrorism Officer. He deployed with USS MONTEREY for the FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet deployment of EISENHOWER CSG in 2016, earning his Surface Warfare Officer qualification in the Persian Gulf. During his tour on USS SAN ANTONIO, LCDR Biggs was selected to attend the Amphibious Warfare Tactics Instructor (AMW WTI) course at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story, VA. There he qualified as a KW- 3 in 2018. Upon completion of his Division Officer Tours, LCDR Biggs reported to Surface Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), AMW Division at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story. During his time there he instructed the AMW WTI course of instruction with N7 department, as well as coordinated with the USN/USMC for doctrine construction, improvement and validation, specifically focusing on Navy and Marine Corp integration and Ship’s Self Defense System tactics for L-Class ships. After the completion of his tour at SMWDC and graduating Department Head School, LCDR Biggs served as Operations Officer onboard USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) and Plans and Tactics Officer, Chief Engineer, and Operations Officer onboard USS SAN ANTONIO. LCDR Biggs’ current billet is Operations Officer (N3) at COMPHIBRON EIGHT, deployed with IWOARG and 22 MEU (SOC) in the FOURTH FLEET AOR in 2025-2026. He is married to the former Dr. Michael Ann Vuiller and has 2 beautiful daughters, Savannah and Allison. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal, and numerous unit and campaign awards.
Navy Expeditionary Warfare Enlisted Sailor of the Year
PO1 Bryan Campos
A native of San Diego California, ITl Bryant Campos joined the Navy in April of 2017 as an Information Systems Technician. Following graduation from RTC Great Lakes, ITl Campos reported to Information Warfare Training Center Corry Station in Pensacola Florida where he completed Naval System Administrator A and C school. Upon completion of initial ascension training, ITl Campos was assigned as the first IT specialist to Pre-commissioning Unit USS Kansas City (LCS22). Crucial to the creation of the ship’s programs and IT infrastructure, his dedication culminated with his meritorious advancement to IT2. ITl Campos furthered his professional development by completing the Network Security Vulnerability Technician Course, earning his Enisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin, and advancing to ITl. In July 2023, ITl Campos attended the Assessment & Selection course for the Joint Communications Unit (JCU) in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After completion of the arduous six-month Special Operations Communicator -Operator Training Course (SOCOTC), ITl Campos would be assigned to B-Troop in the Expeditionary Communications Squadron. While assigned to JCUs B-Troop as an Automated Information Systems Technician, ITl Campos has completed three deployments to the CENTCOM, EUCOM, and SOUTHCOM AOR’s in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and POTUS directed missions. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal with “C” Device. He also has numerous profession qualifications including CornpTIA Security Plus and Cisco Certified Networking Associate.
Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Superior Analyst of the Year
Maj. Colton L. Byers
Major Byers was commissioned on 26 May 2017. Upon graduation from Infantry Officer’s Course, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California. His operational experience includes a deployment with SPMAGTF Crisis Response Central Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and the Diplomatic Mission in Baghdad, Iraq. While deployed he served as the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) Force Commander and the Quick Reaction Force Commander after reinforcing the US Embassy Complex in Baghdad. He has held key billets of Rifle Platoon Commander and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander. In June 2021, he was assigned to Naval Postgraduate School to study Operations Research. Following graduation from Naval Postgraduate School in June 2023, Major Byers was assigned to DC, CD&I where he started his tour as an Operations Research Analyst in the Operations Analysis Directorate. Major Byers has worked on Service-level problems regarding artillery ammunition optimization, integrating generative AI into business processes, and providing analytical support on group 1-3 UAS employment topics. He currently serves as DC, CD&I’s Chief Data and AI Office Director and is responsible for AI enablement, integration, and governance. Major Byers holds a BS in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, a MS in Operations Research and a certificate in Operational Data Science and Statistical Machine Learning from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School (Non-Resident) and Naval War College (Non-Resident, JPME I). Major Byers is currently enrolled in an Executive MBA program through University of Virginia, Darden Business School. Major Byers is married to Kelley Ostrander and resides in Stafford, VA with their children Thea (6 years old) and Frances (4 years old).
Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Capability Developer of the Year
Mr. Matthew E. Koch
Matthew E. Koch is an engineer and program manager with a 26-year federal career dedicated to advancing the technical capabilities, readiness, and operational effectiveness of the United States military. Currently serving as a Project Officer and Engineering Lead within Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE-MC) and detailed at Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) in Quantico, VA, Mr. Koch has been a driving force behind the Marine Corps’ accelerated acquisition and rapid prototyping efforts. As an inaugural member of the eight-person cross-competency team tasked by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to establish the Marine Corps Rapid Capabilities Office (MCRCO) in December 2016, Mr. Koch played a foundational role in establishing the programmatic and engineering framework for evaluating Marine Corps rapid prototyping initiatives. Serving as the Lead Project Officer for a diverse $25 million portfolio, Mr. Koch has managed all aspects of project execution, including planning, budgeting, contracting, and technical assessments. His leadership has directly resulted in the successful transition of critical emerging technologies into formal Programs of Record. Notable accelerated acquisitions under his stewardship include the Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS), Organic Precision Fires (OPF), Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization (LEON), and Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV). He has also spearheaded forward-looking capability developments in biosensors, unmanned ground vehicles, and Wing-In-Ground (WIG) “Flying Boats.” Prior to his work with MCWL, Mr. Koch served as the Department of the Navy Corrosion Control and Prevention Executive (CCPE) from 2014 to 2016. As the Department’s senior official responsible for coordinating corrosion prevention and control activities across the Navy and Marine Corps, Mr. Koch reported annually to the Secretary of Defense and Congress on the corrosion posture of the United States Navy. In this Pentagon-based role, he developed a comprehensive long-term strategic plan to address the Navy’s approximately $10 billion annual corrosion-related maintenance costs. By institutionalizing corrosion prevention and maintenance planning early in the acquisition process and streamlining bureaucratic oversight, he established a framework for long-term lifecycle cost avoidance that generated nearly $500 million in documented corrosion-related savings. Mr. Koch’s foundational expertise was built during his tenure as the Program Manager for the USMC Corrosion Prevention and Control (CPAC) Program at Marine Corps Systems Command from 2009 to 2014, where he transformed the CPAC Program into his first formal Program of Record and secured a $30 million annual budget for consolidated contractor-based maintenance. He established the Corrosion Service Teams (CST) providing periodic preventative maintenance for more than 75,000 unit-level assets and coordinated the consolidation of the four Marine Expeditionary Force corrosion repair facilities under the CPAC Program. Mr. Koch started his federal career in March 2000 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division– Philadelphia, serving as the Lead Materials Engineer for critical acquisition programs including the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR), High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR). Mr. Koch holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and a Master of Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the USDA Executive Leadership Development Program, holds Defense Acquisition University (DAU) certifications in Program Management, Engineering, and Test & Evaluation. Mr. Koch lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Emily Ramage Ross, and their three children, Benjamin (11), Ysabel (11), and Michael (9).
Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Innovator of the Year
Sgt Henry D. Volpe
Hailing from St.Louis, Missouri, Sgt Volpe entered the delayed entry program in April 2021. He enlisted and was sent to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for recruit training on October 25, 2021. A contract PFC, he was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty of Automotive Maintenance Technician (3521). Following graduation from Recruit Training, PFC Volpe reported to Marine Combat Training (MCT), aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Upon Completion of MCT, PFC Volpe reported to Automotive Maintenance Technician School, Camp Johnson North Carolina in February 2022 where he began training as a Motor Transport Technician. In July of 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In July 2022, Lance Corporal Volpe reported to 2d Maintenance Battalion, 2d Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune North Carolina to perform his duties as a Motor Transport Technician. He attended Automotive Maintenance Technicians Career Course in March 2023.On 1 August 2023, He was promoted to Corporal and assumed the billet of Motor T Engines Section Head. In April 2024, Corporal Volpe reported to the Innovation Campus, to perform duties as an AM instructor. In March 2025, Corporal Volpe attended the Facilitate Learning Experiences Course. On 1 November 2025 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as the Campus Director and Drone Lead. In May 2026, Sergeant Volpe reported to Regional Contracting Office, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, to begin his on-the-job training for his lateral move to contracting officer. Sgt Volpe’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.