Captain Matthew Arnold was born in Xenia, Ohio and was raised in nearby Fairborn, Ohio.  He enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1987.  He was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 1995 and was commissioned as an Ensign under the Limited Duty officer program in 1996.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College and a Master of Business Administration (Program Management) from Columbia Southern University.

Captain Arnold attended recruit training at Naval Recruit Training Center (NRTC) Great Lakes, Illinois and received training as an Aviation Ordnanceman at the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center (NATTC) Millington, Tennessee.  He then reported to the “Gunfighters” of Fighter Squadron (VF) 124 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California where he received specialized training in the maintenance of the Grumman F-14 “TOMCAT” aircraft before reporting to his first operational command. 

Arnold’s enlisted operational tours include the “Sundowners” of Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 deployed onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar, California; and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces.  His commissioned operational tours include USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) homeported in San Diego, California and then later in Yokosuka, Japan; USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia; Weapons Officer onboard USS NASSAU (LHA 4) homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia; Ordnance Handling Officer (OHO) onboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia; and Weapons Officer onboard both USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan again as part as the Forward Deployed Naval Forces.  He has participated in combat operations in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE.

His enlisted shore tours include the “Gunfighters” of Fighter Squadron (VF) 124, and as Lead Instructor at both Fighter Squadron (VF) 124 Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP) and Naval Aviation Maintenance Training Group Detachment (NAMTRAGRUDET) Miramar, California.  His commissioned shore tours include Department Head and Fleet Liaison Officer at Naval Ammunition Logistic Center (NALC) in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; Weapons Officer onboard Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine; Force Weapons Officer and Force Ordnance Handling Officer for Commander, Naval Air Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet; and recently he returned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet as the Force Weapons Officer.    

Arnold was the recipient of the peer-selected O-5 Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award while assigned to USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76); has been recognized as the Sailor of the Year for Maintenance Training Unit (MTU) 1008; has qualified as a Command Duty Officer (Underway) and as a Master Training Specialist (MTS); and is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community.  His personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, seven Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Achievement Medals, two Good Conduct Medals and numerous other campaign and service medals.