My name is Eddy Colado. I grew up in Sheridan Montana at Woodson Ranch (Ruby Habitat Foundation). I spent most of my time outdoors working for the foundation in field irrigation, riverbank restoration, and equipment maintenance and repairs. I very much enjoyed the great Montana outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting with my friends. I grew a great deal of respect for the outdoors and Montana’s beautiful wildlife.
I graduated high school from Sheridan Montana in 2002 and joined the world’s greatest Naval Fleet as a Diesel Technician. I worked as a diesel engine repairman and operator for USS Germantown my first five years and was quickly promoted to maintenance manager and Second Class Petty Officer. Upon my return from my first deployment with USS Germantown in 2004 I married my high school sweetheart, Kathryn A. Colado. Kathryn was stellar in her support of my career and a rock for me to lean on during hard times. She continues to inspire me and guide my sail after retirement.
I continued to serve as a maintenance manager throughout my career as well as a small boat pilot instructor and outboard engine repairman for Navy Diver operations at sea. During the last 6 years of my career, I dedicated myself to training the fleet in safety programs, risk management, casualty control drills, and advanced firefighting. I retired in June 2023 as a Surface Warfare and Expeditionary Combat Specialist Chief Petty Officer with 21 years of service.
I decided to join Mt. Adams Institute for the opportunity to work outdoors, reconnect with nature and self, and help others to do the same. I’m both eager and most excited to pass on my lessons learned in safety, risk management, technician skills, and boat operation expertise to improve the quality of equipment, daily operations, and/or programs. Although risk and danger are always a factor during any small craft operations, I look forward mostly to operating watercraft without the military’s extreme exposure to highly stressful and dangerous operations. I hope to meet new friends and contacts and begin networking toward possible employment at a similar job with the Fish and Wildlife Service. I’m very much looking forward to simply having this opportunity for an amazing experience, being outdoors, and helping in any way I can to give back to nature.