Commander Matthew A. Phillips
Commanding Officer
CDR Matt Phillips is a 1994 graduate of Norwich University in Northfield, VT, with a BS in Communications, and commissioned through the NROTC program there. He attended Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI for 8 months before reporting to USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 56) in Mayport, FL, as Communications Officer and Ordnance Officer. In 1997, he transferred to USS JOHN RODGERS (DD 983) and served as Main Propulsion Assistant and Chief Engineer.
From 1998-2000 CDR Phillips served as Initial Assignment Detailer at Navy Personnel Command, detailing over 2000 new surface warfare officers to their initial training and first ship assignments. From 2001-2004 he served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer in USS SHILOH (CG 67) homeported in San Diego, CA. While there he participated in OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, conducting Tomahawk Strikes and planning and executing Air Defense for a 3 aircraft carrier strike force in the Arabian Gulf.
He served as Aide to Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA from 2004-2005. Subsequently, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI, graduating in 2006 with a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and a subspecialty in Joint Operational Planning.
From 2007-2008, he served as Executive Officer, in USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56). Homeported in Norfolk, VA, they deployed with HARRY S. TRUMAN carrier Strike Group and conducted theater engagement and training with navies in Western Africa, and with nations around the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.
Most recently, CDR Phillips served as the Mexico/Central America Policy Analyst at the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in Washington, DC, from December 2008 to October 2010. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.
He reported to BULKELEY as Executive Officer in May 2011.
Assumed command as the Commanding Officer on October 12, 2012.