Matt was commissioned out of Tulane University's NROTC program in 1995 as an Ensign in the Navy and served the next 20 years on active duty. He completed 5 patrols onboard the ballistic missile submarine USS Rhode Island, instructed over 500 prospective officers at Navy Officer Candidate School, trained over 100 nuclear officers at Navy Nuclear Power Training Command, completed two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and completed two successful shore command tours. He retired at the rank of Commander in 2015.