Veteran Story: Matthew Carroll

Matthew Carroll

Courtesy Matthew Carroll

Growing up in New Jersey, Carroll joined the U.S. Air Force “to serve and protect our nation.” In his military career, he served as a missile launch officer, instructor, and staff officer.

While on active duty, he volunteered significant time with various land management agencies focused on outdoor education over more than a decade. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Matt Carroll joined the National Park Service as the superintendent of Greenbelt Park and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. He says the experience volunteering while on active duty made transitioning to the National Park Service easier.

Matthew Carroll

NPS

Carroll says his work with the National Park Service is improved by his military experience. “A focus on operations and decision making learned in the military transfers well to the mission of the NPS,” Carroll said.

Carroll has served as superintendent at Greenbelt since 2015. What makes Greenbelt Park a special place to him? “Greenbelt is the hidden gem of the National Capital Area. Where else can you camp inside the beltway and attend a campfire program?”