Master Chief Matthew Cox, a native of Dayton, Ohio, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001, and after graduating bootcamp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended Damage Controlman “A” School. He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 238).

Cox’s assignments include USS Emory S. Land (AS-39); Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC); Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility Pacific Northwest; Naval Special Warfare Group 1 Logistics Support Unit; Southwest Regional Maintenance Center; Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving; and Naval Surface Warfare Center.
 
He reported to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center as command master chief in February 2025.
 
Cox is qualified a master diver and designated a specialist in diving warfare and surface warfare. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), and various other campaign and service awards.