Immediately after receiving his undergraduate education, Matt received a commission as an ensign in the United States Navy. His first assignment was on the USS McClusky homeported in San Diego, California. During his tour, Matt deployed twice to the Eastern Pacific to conduct counter-narcotic and terrorism operations. In 2010, he transferred to the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command where he began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, which he completed in 2011. He then studied Persian Farsi. From March 2012 to December 2015 he served in multiple leadership positions at a SEAL Team. As a platoon commander, Matt commanded 30 Special Operations personnel in West Africa. In December 2015, he transferred to NSW Special Reconnaissance Team TWO, where he commanded a 67-person formation consisting of over 30 different Navy specialities. During his tenure as a troop commander, Matt oversaw the deployment of his troop to Africa, Europe and South America. Prior to attending the Woodrow Wilson School, Matt oversaw a 500-member command whose primary mandate was generating Special Operations forces capable of conducting Special Reconnaissance operations across the globe.