MAJ Matthew A. Chaney '01

2016 NIninger Award Recipient Announcement

MAJ Matt Chaney was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers from the United States Military Academy in 2001 with a Bachelors of Science in Economics.  He served as the Executive Officer for the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment and Assistant S-3 in the 29th Engineer Battalion at Fort Shafter, HI.  After completing the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2007, MAJ Chaney was assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, CO as the Detachment Commander for Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (SFOD-A) 083, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), later designated SFOD-A 0335.  During this time he conducted two combat deployments to Iraq and one operational deployment to Azerbaijan.  In 2011, MAJ Chaney was awarded the General Wayne A Downing Fellowship and attended the University of Chicago and University of Tel Aviv, earning a Master’s Degree in Public Policy with emphasis on counterterrorism and international security.  MAJ Chaney then returned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from 2013-2016 where he commanded A Company, 2nd Battalion, served as the 2nd Battalion S-3, and Group S-3.  During these years he deployed forces across West Africa and led an interagency team to counter violent extremist organizations within the USAFRICOM Area of Responsibility.

MAJ Chaney is currently assigned as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and is deployed in this role in support of Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

MAJ Chaney’s military schooling includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Dive Officer Course, Salvage Dive Officer Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, SERE School, Combat Dive Qualification Course, Command and General Staff College-Intermediate Level Education, and Airborne, Jumpmaster, and Ranger Schools.

MAJ Chaney’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Army Parachutist Badge, Naval Dive Officer Insignia, and Combat Diver Badge.