Major Matt McGath is a native of St. Joseph, Michigan. He attended high school in
Waconia, Minnesota, and then Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he graduated in 1986. While in
high school he participated in football, basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track. Upon
graduation Matt attended the University of Michigan for a year and a half before transferring to
the University of South Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
Matt was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) combined program in
December 1994. He reported to The Basic School in May 1995. In January 1996, Matt reported
to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, to begin his flight training, and was selected as the
first Marine to attend primary flight training with the Air Force at Vance Air Force Base in Enid,
Oklahoma, flying the T-37 jet trainer. In December 1996, Matt reported to Training Squadron 22
(VT 22) at NAS Kingsville, Texas, to fly the T-45. In December 1997, Matt transitioned to multiengine
aircraft and reported to VT 31 to fly the T-44 and received his wings of gold in April 1998.
In May 1998, Matt reported to Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Training Squadron 253
(VMGRT 253) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, to begin his KC-
130 training. He then reported to his first fleet squadron VMGR 252, also at Cherry Point, in June
2000. While at VMGR 252, Matt served as a plans officer and a flight duty officer in the
operations department. In August 2002, he reported to VMGR 152 in Okinawa, Japan, for his
second fleet tour as the aviation safety officer and a flight instructor before becoming the Marine
Air Group 36 (MAG 36) Director of Safety and Standardization. During his time in the fleet, Matt
has flown in support of many operations and exercises in England, Spain, Italy, Germany,
Portugal, Greece, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Colombia, Japan, South
Korea, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Malaysia, Guam, Thailand, and Australia.
Matt joined the Blue Angels in September 2004. He has accumulated more than 1,600
flight hours. His decorations include various personal and unit awards.
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