Later on in his training he began to be recognised as a potentially promising young NCO and was given an apprenticeship at fleet logistics and command based at the Bureau of Operations. This internship lasted for a full year at which time he was thought fit for full duty and given the rank of crewman before being posted to the USS Endeavour.

His work on the Endeavour mainly centred on the ships logistical database, such as calculating supply lists and organising replacement drafts. Holland obviously did a good job because 2 years into his posting he was elevated to petty officer 3rd class which is uncommonly fast for an NCO who would normally stay as crewmen for most of there careers. With new rank came new responsibility and although he still worked extensively in cataloguing the ships supplies he now was in charge of the team doing this.

He continued in this position throughout the Endeavour’s service and during a number of combat situations that affected him little. When the ship was decommissioned in 2339 Holland was subsequently transferred to the USS Constantinople an Oberth class science vessel where he performed in much the same capacity as he had on the Endeavour.

However late in his tour of service in 2436 the small ship was over run by Orion pirates who wanted to salvage the science vessels high profile scanner arrays to help them avoid federation vessels. Although the pirates managed to take full control of the small ship PO3 Holland led a small party comprising of crewmen and one Junior Officer to recapture the ship. For this brave act the captain of the Constantinople suggested him for a award for Valour which was later declined by Starfleet command.

Being promoted to PO2 and transfered to the Galaxy class USS Berlin-C in Starfleets prestigius 1st Fleet, in a way of rewarding him for his act of bravery. By the time of his appointment Holland had become somewhat of a celebrity on the Berlin because of his past experience and became one of the chief advisors of the ships chief of operations. This placement wasn’t to last long however as the ship was destroyed two years after him joined at Worf289. During the battle Holland was injured severely after a plasma vent erupted burning his face and upper body. Although the external damage was repaired easily enough and his appearance was restored it took some time till his injuries where healed enough to resume full duty and it took until mid 2350 until he was re-assigned, to the Excelsior class USS Ark-Royal.

Holland remained on the Ark-Royal for 7 years working in the operations department and during one of the ships frequent skirmishes the chief of operations, a friend of Holland’s was killed to be replaced by ACOO and Matt being the most capable man available was promoted to ACOO, as well as PO1. When replacements where received in 2356 Holland was moved back to his usual role in the department shortly before being transferred back to earth and the Bureau of Operations.

Matt served on earth for 3 years before moving on to the USS Nautilus where he first encountered Commander Tero Stelletale, a man who would later be his commanding officer. On the Nautilus Holland made another admirable performance and shortly afterwards was transferred to the Venture as the ACOO and then to the federation flagship, USS Enterprise. Here he server for nearly 5 years throughout the battle for earth at sector 001 and the ships change from a Galaxy class to a new Sovereign class star ship prior to this event.