Biography
Marine Wing Support Squadron 174
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew J. Schultz

LtCol Schultz was born in Towson, Maryland and grew up in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. He attended York College of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in professional writing. He later graduated from Michigan State University with a Master of Science in management, strategy, and leadership.

In 2007, LtCol Schultz received his commission through Officer Candidates School before completing follow-on education at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia and the Logistics Officer’s Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina.

In 2008, LtCol Schultz reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 3 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he deployed in support of several operations in the USINDOPACOM and the CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility. He first deployed to Thailand with Combat Logistics Regiment 3 and served as the Current Operations Officer of the Consolidated Theater Distribution Point during Operation CARING RESPONSE, coordinating the shipment of humanitarian assistance material to Burma following Cyclone Nargis. The following year, LtCol Schultz deployed to Iraq with Combat Logistics Battalion 4 and commanded a Provisional Security Platoon during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 9.1. He later deployed to Afghanistan with Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and served as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10.2.

In 2011, LtCol Schultz returned to Quantico, Virginia where he served as a warfighting instructor, the Regimental Logistics Officer, and a staff platoon commander at The Basic School. He then attended the Expeditionary Warfare School before rotating back to the Operating Forces in the Pacific in 2015.

Upon arriving in Okinawa, Japan, LtCol Schultz reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 where he served as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, the Squadron Logistics Officer, and the Motor Transport Company Commander. In 2017, LtCol Schultz reported to the 3d Marine Division, where he served as the G-4 Plans Officer for the Korean Theater of Operations.

In 2018, LtCol Schultz rotated to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he completed a Master of Arts in Military Arts and Sciences—in addition to receiving historian and strategist skill designators—as a student in the Art of War Scholar Program at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. The following year, he attended the U.S. Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, graduating with a Master of Arts in Military Operations.

In 2020, LtCol Schultz returned to Okinawa and reported to the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade as the Deputy Plans Officer and Future Operations Officer, leading the Brigade’s planning efforts for the Alert Contingency MAGTF, Joint Task Force 505 (FWD), and a Joint Task Force associated with USINDOPACOM’s China Family of Plans. In 2022, he transferred to the 3d Marine Division to enhance the Division’s planning and preparation to serve as a scalable, joint stand-in force oriented on supporting rapid crisis response within the First Island Chain in accordance with the requirements outlined in multiple contingency plans.   

LtCol Schultz is married to his wife Jennifer Valentin-Schultz. They have two boys: Kai (11) and Eli (9). Aside from spending time with his family, he enjoys reading, surfing, paddling, and fishing.