Commander Matt Pratt

Executive Officer, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75

28 October 2020 A native of Cape May, New Jersey, Commander Pratt was commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  He also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Naval Post Graduate School.  He earned his Naval Aviator Wings in May 2005, is a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) and has accumulated over 2,400 hours in the MH-60R helicopter. 
At sea, Commander Pratt served as a Plank Owner at HSM-71.  While assigned to the “Raptors”, he deployed to the Western Pacific onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) and supported the Joint Special Task Force Philippines onboard USS KIDD (DDG-100).   Additionally, he served as the Assistant Operations Officer with the “Broadsword” of Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2), where he supported a deployment to the South Pacific onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) and RIMPAC 2014 onboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76).  He completed his department head tour with the “Griffins” of HSM-79, a west coast stand-up squadron attached to the “Freedom Fighters” of CVW-7.  Beamer took the command from its Safe for Flight inspection to deployment and was selected as the 2018 Officer of the Year. 
Ashore, Commander Pratt served as an FRS Instructor Pilot with the “Seahawks” of HSM-41.  As the WTI Standardization Officer, he established the Air Combat Training Continuum (ACTC) program and ensured the on-time graduation of over 600 Fleet Replacement Pilots.  Additionally, he served as the Helicopter Shore and Graduate Education Detailer for PERS-43.  During his tenure at the Navy Personnel Command, he skillfully managed the careers of over 1,200 junior officers across three helicopter communities, supported eight selection boards and aligned the NAE with CNO education initiatives. 
 
Beamer’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit commendations, service and campaign awards.  He is happily married to his wife Crystal, together they have two children.
 
Commander Pratt reported to his current assignment as Executive Officer of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN FIVE (HSM 75) in August 2021.