Matt Hawkins, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996 and commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers
Training Corps. He holds a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
He earned his dolphins in USS Alabama (SSBN 731) (Gold). Following four strategic deterrent patrols and an extended refit period, Matt reported to Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for instructor duty.
Matt joined the Navy Reserve in 2004 and served staff tours with Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Submarine Force Atlantic, U.S. Joint Forces Command, OPNAV (N3/N5), and Navy Reserve Forces Command.
Navy Reserve command tours have been with units assigned to USS EMORY S. LAND (AS-39), U.S. THIRD Fleet, Submarine Force Atlantic, and U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. SIXTH Fleet. Matt is currently the commanding officer of the Navy Reserve element of the Joint Staff.
In his civilian career, he has worked for Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Naval Special Warfare, and OPNAV (N95). In 2019, he moved to Arlington, VA and joined Sonalysts, Inc at its Crystal City office where he works on a number of projects supporting the Submarine Force. In his spare time he trains for ultramarathons, occasionally completing them.
He is married to former Patrol Squadron Sixteen skipper CDR (Ret) Amanda Hawkins. Despite significant technological advancements in the Maritime, Patrol, and Reconnaissance force, she still can’t find this career submariner unless he really wants her to. They share two strong willed children, Tyler and Astrid.