Matthew Trollinger

Matthew Trollinger
Official portrait, 2024
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1990–present
RankMajor General
CommandsUnited States Marine Forces Special Operations Command
5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion
Battles / warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsLegion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2)

Matthew G. Trollinger is a United States Marine Corps major general who has served as the chief of staff of United States Africa Command since July 1, 2024.[1] He served as the commander of United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command from May 2022 to June 2024.[2] He served as the Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East) of the Joint Staff. He was previously the Commanding General of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade from July 2018 to July 6, 2020.[3][4][5][6]

Military career

Trollinger graduated from the Old Dominion University and received his commission into the Marine Corps in 1990 as an infantry officer. Trollinger has a diverse background in reconnaissance, security forces, and special operations, deploying numerous times in support of both routine and emergent requirements. Trollinger has held commands to include the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, and 1st Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company. Trollinger also served as the Operations Officer for a Marine Expeditionary Unit as well as a Battalion Landing Team.[7] In 1998, Trollinger graduated from the Amphibious Warfare School, and in 2011 he was the Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In June 2012, Trollinger was assigned as the Military Assistant to the Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy for Plans, Policy, Oversight and Integration.[4] In April 2016, he completed the AMP at Harvard Business School.[8] He took command of the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command from Major General James F. Glynn on May 23, 2022.[2]

Personal life

Trollinger is married, and he and his wife, Nancy, have two children.[8]

Awards and decorations

Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Badge Marine Special Operator Insignia
1st row Legion of Merit
2nd row Bronze Star
with 1 5⁄16 inch star 		Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal
with 1 5⁄16 inch star
3rd row Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Joint Service Achievement Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
with 1 5⁄16 inch star
4th row Combat Action Ribbon Joint Meritorious Unit Award
with 2 bronze Oak leaf clusters 		Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
with 3 bronze Service stars
5th row National Defense Service Medal
with 1 Service star 		Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal
6th row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal
7th row Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
with 1 silver and 1 bronze Campaign stars 		NATO Medal
for ex-Yugoslavia 		NATO Medal
for service with ISAF
Badges Expert marksmanship badge
for rifle 		Expert marksmanship badge
for pistol
Other accoutrements
Marine Corps Combatant Diver Insignia
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badge

References

  1. ^ "USAFRICOM Headquarters Chief of Staff". U.S. Africa Command. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Jeanlouis, Jesula (May 23, 2022). "MARSOC bids farewell to Maj. Gen. James F. Glynn". DVIDS. Camp Lejeune, North Carolina: U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "BGen Matthew Trollinger : Timothy T. Day Foundation". tdayfoundation.org.
  4. ^ a b "Col Matthew G. Trollinger, USMC" (PDF). potomacinstitute.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2021.
  5. ^ "Task Force 51/5 Holds Second Ever Change of Command Ceremony in Bahrain". DVIDS.
  6. ^ Staff, Seapower (March 4, 2021). "SECDEF Announces Marine General Promotions".
  7. ^ "Commander - Major General Matthew G. Trollinger". www.marsoc.marines.mil. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "MajGen Matthew Trollinger". dayfoundation.org. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
2018–2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs (Middle East) of the Joint Staff
2020–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command
2022–2024 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the United States Africa Command
2024–present 		Incumbent