Life & Work with Matthew Rood of Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Rood.

Hi Matthew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I enlisted in the Navy on September 5th, 2001. I was in boot camp when the towers fell. During my initial tour the U.S. got involved in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The Army was in need of pilots so I put in a packet to become a Warrant Officer. I was picked up and transferred from the Navy to the Army at the end of 2003. I became an Apache pilot and spent the next 21 years flying the AH-64. I did three tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. I ended my Army career at the Boeing factory in Mesa, AZ where I was the acceptance pilot for the U.S. Army on AH-6i “Little Bird” and AH-64E Apache helicopters. During my tenure at the factory I had the privilege of flying the AH-1F Cobra helicopter for the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. While in the service I used the GI Bill to obtain a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After retirement from the Army, I took a contract job as an Apache Maintenance Test Pilot on the island of Ohahu, Hawaii. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and getting my wife and two sons into aviation.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Being deployed at such a high rate takes a mental and physical toll. I missed the birth of my son Mason because I was deployed to Afghanistan.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I was the only Active duty pilot qualified and current on all three attack helicopters.

Any big plans?
I would like to move to a farm and enjoy the simple things life with my family.