Cmdr. Mathew B Rechkemmer
Commanding Officer, USS The Sullivans (DDG 68)
19 August 2024
CDR Mat Rechkemmer was born in St. Charles, Illinois and grew up in Papillion, Nebraska. He was commissioned in 2007 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Iowa State University graduating with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Technology.
A career Surface Warfare Officer, he served aboard USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) as the Strike and Main Propulsion Officer, Patrol Coastal Crew INDIA as the Weapons Officer: embarking in USS MONSOON (PC 4), USS CHINOOKK (PC 9), USS TEMPEST (PC 2), and USS WHIRLWIND (PC 11), USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) as the Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer, and USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) as Executive Officer. During his time at sea, he has deployed to the SECOND, FIFTH, SIXTH, and SEVENTH Fleet Areas of Operations. He currently serves as the Commanding Officer onboard USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68).
Ashore, tours include Basic German Language Training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, US Navy Foreign Exchange Officer at the German Naval Academy in Flensburg (Marineschule Mürwik), Flag Aide to Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, and in the J33 (Current Ops) US Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, NE. He is a graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School’s Distance Learning Program earning a Master’s in Systems Analysis.
His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various unit, service, and campaign awards.