Command Master Chief Matthew P. Nevens enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1996 and completed Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois. He began his career as an Aviation Electronics Technician at Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Depot, North Island, San Diego.

In 2001, he was chosen for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and reported to the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center. He completed EOD School (Class 60N) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in January 2003.

Master Chief Nevens has completed numerous operational assignments, including six deployments supporting the Global War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. His deployments were with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Charlie Company; SEAL Teams ONE and FIVE; Amphibious Squadron ONE; Carrier Strike Group ONE; and as Operations Master Chief for Combined Task Group 56.1.

He served two overseas tours with EOD Mobile Unit FIVE (Guam) and two with EOD Mobile Unit THREE, EOD Group ONE, and EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN in San Diego. He also completed a third overseas assignment as the Command Master Chief of Navy Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific (CTF-75) in Guam.

Ashore, his assignments include serving as an Instructor and Field Training Exercise Director at EOD Training and Evaluation Unit ONE, San Diego; Command Senior Enlisted Leader at the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center, Office of Naval Intelligence, Suitland, Maryland; and EOD Technology and Innovation Program Manager at Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Master Chief Nevens currently serves as the Command Master Chief of the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

He graduated from the Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 12) and the Command Master Chief Course (Class 207). He is a Master EOD Technician and has received numerous personal and unit awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Homeland Security from American Public University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Transformational Leadership from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Master Chief Nevens resides in Niceville, Florida, with his loving wife Erica and their two fantastic sons, Jack (15) and Ryan (13).

Last Updated: 13 August 2025