Col. Matthew Cannon, Garrison Commander, U.S. Army Garrison - Kwajalein Atoll
Col. Matthew Cannon is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science in 2001. He began his Army career as an Armor Officer in the 2d Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Polk, LA. He served as a Scout Platoon Leader and Troop Executive Officer, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I (2003-2004).
Col. Cannon then arrived at 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY, where he served as the Chief of Operations for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team before moving to 3-71 CAV Squadron in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2005-2006). Upon redeployment, LTC Cannon assumed command of D/2-46 IN at Fort Knox, KY, during which he was selected to serve as an FA 40 Space Operations Officer.
In 2009, Col. Cannon’s first FA40 assignment was at North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD), Cheyenne Mountain, CO, where he served as the Missile and Space Domain Deputy Chief. Following that assignment, he returned to the 10th Mountain Division, where he held the positions of Division Chief of Current Operations and Deputy Space Support Element. During this assignment, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2013-2014).
In 2014, Col. Cannon was selected to command the 1st Space Company (Joint Tactical Ground Station), 1st Space Battalion at Peterson AFB, CO. Upon completing 30 months in command of this globally dispersed Company, Col. Cannon returned to NORAD. There, he served as the Senior Missile and Space Domain Chief and Chief of the Standardization and Evaluations Branch.
In 2020, Col. Cannon was selected to activate the 2d Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), serving as the initial OIC for this formation headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany. He subsequently served as the first Battalion Commander for the 2d Multi-Domain Effects Battalion and later as the Task Force Deputy Commander.
His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Scout Leaders Course, Armor Captains Career Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and the US Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Unit awards include the Presidential, Joint Meritorious, and Meritorious Unit Citations. He has also earned the Combat Action Badge and the Army Master Space Badge.
Col. Cannon is married to Kate Cannon of Louisville, Kentucky. They share their home with their two cats, Ziggy and Leo.