Col. Matthew “Matt” Upperman commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer in 2003 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Washington State University. He was initially assigned to 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from 2004-2007, where he served as an Infantry Battalion Assistant S2, the Executive Officer of the Military Intelligence Company, a member of an Iraqi Military Training Team, and the Assistant S3 of the Special Troops Battalion. During this time, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2007 as a captain, he was assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, as a member of a Military Training Team embedded with an Iraqi Army Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2009-2012, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he served as the Battalion S2 and Military Intelligence Detachment Commander. During this period, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines and Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan.
In 2014 as a major, he was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as Group S2. This assignment included a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan. From mid-2015-2018, he was assigned to the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Washington Office in the Pentagon, Washington D.C., where he served as the Executive Officer/Special Assistant to the USSOCOM Vice Commander and as a Liaison Officer to the Joint Staff.
From 2018-2020, Upperman was assigned to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Alliance Ground Surveillance Force at Sigonella Air Base, Italy. While there he served as the Director of Staff and Director of Management, assisting in transitioning the newly formed RQ-4 Global Hawk unit to operational status. From 2020-2022, he commanded the 229th Military Intelligence Battalion at the Presidio of Monterey, California, where he was responsible for facilitating the development of qualified Soldier linguists to serve in tactical through strategic assignments.
Prior to attending the Army War College in 2024, he commanded the Army’s Southern California Recruiting Battalion from 2022-2024, where he was responsible for sharing the Army’s story and leading Army recruiting operations throughout Southern California.
His awards/decorations include the Bronze Star (3 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Army Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Army Recruiter Gold Badge. He is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School and the U.S. Army War College.