Commander Matthew D. Arndt
Commanding Officer, USS INDIANAPOLIS (LCS 17)
07 February 2025
Commander Arndt grew up in Lake City, FL, and attended high school in Williamston, SC. He began his enlisted career at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL, in November 1994. He completed Nuclear Electronics Technician training in Orlando, FL, and prototype training in Charleston, SC.
Commander Arndt graduated from Florida State University (Summa Cum Laude) with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management and received his commission in December 2005 through the STA-21 program. He later attended Harvard Business School and received a Master of Business Administration degree in 2011.
At sea, prior to commissioning, Commander Arndt served as Reactor Controls Division Leading Petty Officer in USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736) (Gold) where he completed six strategic deterrent patrols and was proudly initiated as a Chief Petty Officer in September 2002. Following commissioning, Commander Arndt served as Communications Officer, EKMS Manager, Ballistic Missile Defense Officer, and Combat Systems Officer in USS RUSSELL (DDG 59) in Pearl Harbor, HI, as Weapons Officer in USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64) in Mayport, FL, as Commanding Officer of USS FIREBOLT (PC 10) in Manama, Bahrain, as Commanding Officer of USS SHAMAL (PC 13) in Mayport, FL, and as Executive Officer of USS INDIANAPOLIS (LCS 17) BLUE in Mayport, FL. He has completed numerous deployments to the Caribbean, Western Pacific, and Arabian Gulf.
His shore assignments include staff pick-up instructor at NPTU Charleston (MTS 635), Flag Aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8), Section Head and Lead Weapons Analyst in the OPNAV N80 Bullpen, Future Fleet Architecture Requirements Officer for the Director of Warfare Integration (OPNAV N9I), and as the Legislative Liaison for Navy Readiness on the staff of the Chief of Legislative Affairs.
Commander Arndt is currently serving as Commanding Officer in USS INDIANAPOLIS (LCS 17), homeported in Mayport, FL.
Commander Arndt’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (eight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), Combat Action Ribbon and various other personal, campaign, and unit awards.