CDCA 2025 Eastern Defense

Matthew ONeal
Commanding Officer, NIWC Atlantic
NIWC Atlantic


Captain Matthew R. O’Neal assumed duties as Commanding Officer of Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC Atlantic) on July 18, 2024. NIWC Atlantic hosts more than 4,900 federal civilian and military personnel and approximately 9,000 industry partners. NIWC Atlantic’s main campus is in Charleston, South Carolina, with offices spanning 12 major geographical areas inside and outside the continental United States. NIWC Atlantic is a Navy engineering and technology command, and in his role, O’Neal oversees the full-spectrum research and development, test and evaluation, engineering design, development and fleet support across the complete Information Warfare domain. Raised in Lawton, Oklahoma, CAPT O’Neal was commissioned in 2002 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. He holds Master’s degrees in computer science and business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School. Prior to his role as NIWC Atlantic’s Commanding Officer, CAPT O'Neal was assigned as Director for Naval Enterprise Networks in Program Executive Office (PEO) Digital and Enterprise Services. Commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and later transferring to Engineering Duty Officer, he has served at sea aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) leading the Sixth Fleet flagship's communications systems maintenance department, USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) where he earned SWO qualification aboard the flagship of the first West Coast Expeditionary Strike Group, and on the staff of Amphibious Squadron Three as assistant operations officer. His shore assignments include Deputy Technical Director for the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) 1000-Class Combat System (IWS 9.0), Deputy Branch Head and Resource Officer for Protected Transport programs for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (OPNAV N2N6), Assistant Program Manager in the Information Assurance and Cyber Security Program Office (PMW 130), DDG Type Desk Officer for Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Computer and Network Defense Project Officer at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (formerly Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific). Personal awards include the Meritorious Service, Navy Commendation, and Navy Achievement Medals. He is authorized to wear various unit, campaign, and service awards.

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