# Matthew Trollinger

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. He served as the commander of United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command from May 2022 to June 2024. 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.

## 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. 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. In April 2016, he completed the AMP at Harvard Business School. He took command of the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command from Major General James F. Glynn on May 23, 2022.

## Personal life

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

## Awards and decorations

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