Rear Admiral Matt Kawas is a native of Matawan, New Jersey.  He is a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and a 1996 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. 

A nuclear-trained surface warfare officer, his assignments at sea include tours as anti-submarine warfare officer on USS Gettysburg (CG 64), main propulsion assistant and reactor electrical assistant on USS George Washington (CVN 73), operations officer on USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), reactor mechanical assistant on USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and executive officer on USS Fort Worth (LCS 3).

Kawas commanded USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and USS Freedom (LCS 1), served as reactor officer on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and commanded Destroyer Squadron 2. As Commodore, he led five DDGs and served as the Atlantic Fleet theater anti-submarine warfare task group commander and sea combat commander for Ford Carrier Strike Group.

Ashore, he served as a member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, and as an action officer in Homeland Division, Joint Staff Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate.  Most recently, he served as principal military assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various meritorious, service and unit awards.