A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Vice Adm. Matthew Kohler graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and was commissioned as a naval intelligence officer in 1984 through the Aviation Officer Candidate School. Kohler holds Master’s degrees in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and Military History from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
As an intelligence officer, he deployed worldwide supporting combat operations in numerous aircraft carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups. His early staff tours include U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Joint Warfare Analysis Center, U.S. Special Operations Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South.
Kohler has served in fleet, interagency, and combatant command leadership positions as an information warfare officer since his promotion to admiral, including director of intelligence, U.S. Africa Command; deputy director of Naval Intelligence, deputy commander, Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet; and deputy chief of Tailored Access Operations, National Security Agency. The U.S. Navy’s Information Warfare Type Command was established during his most recent assignment as commander, Naval Information Forces.
He assumed duties as deputy chief of naval operations for Information Warfare and the 67th director of Naval Intelligence in June 2018.
Kohler is the recipient of various personal, unit and campaign awards including the Edwin T. Layton Leadership Award, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (four awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.
