Marine Colonel Matthew Brannen joined Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in 2021. He was born in Brooksville, Florida and commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program, on December 20, 1997 upon graduating from the University of Florida.
Colonel Brannen’s previous assignments include: Staff Judge Advocate U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command; Commanding Officer, Region 6 (Eastern and Southern Africa), Marine Corps Embassy Security Group; Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for Operational Law at United States Indo-Pacific Command; Judge Advocate for Regimental Combat Team 6 (RCT 6) in support of International Security Assistance Forces-Afghanistan; Officer-in-Charge of the Depot Law Center, Parris Island, SC; 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company; and 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division.
In addition to his deployment to Afghanistan, Colonel Brannen deployed to Doha, Qatar from March to April 2003 and to Iraq from September 2003 to May 2004 in support of joint combat operations with CJTF-7 and Multinational Division, Central South.
Colonel Brannen is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Naval Justice School Basic Lawyers Course, USMC Command and Staff (Reserve Seminar Program), Air War College (Distance Education Program), and the College of Naval Warfare where he earned his M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies. He earned his B.A. and J.D. at the University of Florida, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in National Security Law from Georgetown Law.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal x 3, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal x 2, Combat Action Ribbon, and Cruz del Merito Militar con Distintivo Blanco (Cross of Military Merit with White Distinction).