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Marines


Biography

 

Master Chief Petty Officer, Matthew R. Paul
Command Master Chief
Fourth Marine Division

Command Master Chief Matthew R. Paul enlisted in the US Navy in 1993, attending Basic Training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL, and Hospital Corpsmen “A” School in San Diego, CA. His first assignment was with Naval Hospital Corpus Christi, TX. In 1995 he reported to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division following the completion of Field Medical Service School, deploying in 1996 with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEU-SOC). He received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1998. 

Master Chief Paul entered Selected Reserve service in November 2000, reporting to 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in San Antonio, TX. He deployed in 2003 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, attached to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company as part of Task Force Tarawa. Master Chief Paul returned to Iraq in 2005, attached to 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, where he served as Lead Platoon Corpsman and Assistant Team Leader. In 2010 Master Chief Paul deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM with Special Operations Task Force 82. He was selected for Chief Petty Officer and initiated in Camp Leatherneck. He was assigned to Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) 8133, serving as a Combat Advisor to the 7th Kandak Afghan Commandos. He returned to 4th Reconnaissance Battalion where he served as the Battalion Medical Chief and Enlisted Technical Leader for the Reserve Recon HM pipeline. In 2016 Master Chief Paul deployed to Lebanon in support of Counter Narcotics/ Terror Operations with 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, MSOT 8234. He was selected and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer during this deployment. Master Chief Paul reported to The Joint Staff in 2017, serving as the Joint Reserves Senior Enlisted Advisor for Regional Operations and Force Management (J-35), Joint Operations Directorate. In December 2018 he was designated as the Navy Reserve Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Joint Staff South. He promoted to Master Chief in 2020 and was selected for the Command Master Chief program later that year. He served Command Master Chief of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion FIVE 2020-2023.

Master Chief Paul assumed his current assignment as the Division Command Master Chief for 4th Marine Division in April 2023.

Master Chief Paul holds a Bachelor of Science from the George Washington University, majoring in Health Intervention and Disaster Response. He is a graduate of the US Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Class 217 (Orange), Reserve Component National Security Course 19-1, and CMC/COB Course Class 20110. Other schools include the USMC Basic Reconnaissance Course, US Army Basic Airborne School, and the Special Operations Combat Medic Course.

Master Chief Paul is designated as a Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist, Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, and qualified Navy Expert Parachutist. He is a recipient of the Purple Heart. Personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), Combat Action Ribbon (2), as well as multiple unit and campaign awards.