LtGen Watson graduated from Cornell University in 1991 and was commissioned through the NROTC program. After The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he reported to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, in Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as a Platoon Commander and Executive Officer with Company K, including deployments with the 24th and 26th MEU(SOC).
LtGen Watson's other operational assignments include: Commanding Officer, Weapons Company, and Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, from 1999-2002, including deployments with the 22nd and 24th MEU(SOC) in support of Operations Provide Promise and Deny Flight in and around the former Yugoslavia, and Operation Dynamic Response in Kosovo; G-3 Future Operations Planner, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), from 2006-2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including service with Regimental Combat Team-7; G-3 Plans Officer, 1st Marine Division, from 2007-2008; Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, from 2008-2011, including deployments with 31st MEU and to Garmsir District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Marine Division, from 2016-2017; and Commanding General (CG), Task Force Southwest in Helmand and Nimroz Provinces, Afghanistan, from January to November 2018 in support of Operation Resolute Support and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. From 2022-2024, LtGen Watson commanded the 1st Marine Division.
His service outside the operating forces includes duty as an instructor at The Basic School from 1995-1997, the Infantry Officer Course from 1997-1998, and the Expeditionary Warfare School from 2002-2005. From 2012-2013, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs. From 2013-2014, he was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. LtGen Watson served as the Commanding Officer of Marine Barracks, Washington D.C. (8th & I), from 2014-16. From 2018-2019, he served as the CG of Marine Corps Installations East / Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and from 2019-2022 as CG of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory / Futures Directorate and Vice Chief of the Office of Naval Research. In August of 2024, LtGen Watson assumed duties as CG, Training & Education Command.
LtGen Watson is a graduate of the Marine Corps Summer Mountain Leaders Course, Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command & Staff College (Non-Resident), Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting (Masters - Military Operational Studies), and the National War College (Masters - National Security Studies).
Lieutenant General Watson’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with “C” (2), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V,” Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), and Combat Action Ribbon (2).