Lieutenant Colonel Matthew (Matt) Neely was raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and received his BA in History and Political Science from Virginia Tech in 2007. In August of that year, Lieutenant Colonel Neely attended Officer Candidate School in 2007 through the PLC-law program and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
Before commissioning, Lieutenant Colonel Neely enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves, where he served with Hotel Battery 3/14. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. After this deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Neely returned to school to complete his undergraduate studies. Upon commissioning, Lieutenant Colonel Neely attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He next reported to The Basic School and the Naval Justice School.
Lieutenant Colonel Neely reported to MCB Camp Lejeune, where he served as a Defense Counsel until 1 November 2013. From November 2013 until October 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Neely served as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate to the 2d Marine Logistics Group.
In October 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Neely began an assignment as an action officer within Judge Advocate Division, Headquarters Marine Corps. He served in Judge Advocate Division until August 2016, when he was selected for Special Education Program (Law) and began studying at Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C. Lieutenant Colonel Neely graduated with honors and received an LL.M. in National Security Law in May 2017.
In July 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Neely checked in to MCB Camp Pendleton as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Marine Division. He served in that billet until July 2019, when he received orders to be the Staff Judge Advocate, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Lieutenant Colonel Neely deployed with the 13th MEU in April 2020 as the SPMAGTF CR CC and returned in February 2021.
In July 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Neely reported to Command and Staff College in Quantico, VA. Lieutenant Colonel Neely graduated from Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate with a Master’s in Military Studies in June 2022.
In July 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Neely reported to serve as Branch Head, Appellate Defense Counsel at the Washington Navy Yard. In June 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Neely assumed his present duties as Regional Defense Counsel, National Capital Region.
In addition to his JD from the University of Pittsburgh, and his National Security Law LL.M. from Georgetown, Lieutenant Colonel Neely also has an LL.M. in Cyber Law and Information Privacy from Drexel University.
Lieutenant Colonel Neely’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (x3), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x2), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.