Matthew L . Klunder Rear Admiral Matthew L . Klunder is the Chief of Naval Research at the Office of Naval Research in Arlington , Virginia . In July 2010 , Klunder reported as director of Intelligence , Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities Division , OPNAV N2 / N6F2 following his assignment as the 83rd Commandant of Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy . Klunder is a native of Alexandria , Virginia . He graduated in 1982 from the United States Naval Academy . After completing a short assignment at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington , D . C . , he entered Naval Aviator training , receiving his " Wings of Gold " on 26 September 1984 in Meridian , Mississippi . Klunder ' s first squadron tour was with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ( VAW ) 112 from May 1985 to May 1988 . While a member of the " Golden Hawks , " he made two Western Pacific / Indian Ocean deployments aboard the supercarrier USS " Kitty Hawk " ( CV - 63 ) , including a round - the - world cruise . Assigned to VAW - 110 , in May 1988 , Rear Admiral Klunder served as flight instructor , Pilot NATOPS Officer , and COMNAVAIRPAC Evaluator . During this time he was awarded the “ 1988 Hawkeye of the Year ” . In June 1989 , he reported to Patuxent River , MD where he completed one year at the U . S . Naval Test Pilot School and two years with the Force Warfare Test Directorate . During this assignment , he was awarded the “ 1991 Test Pilot of the Year ” , established 21 world flying records , and obtained a Masters in Aerodynamics and Aviation Systems from the Univ . of Tennessee . From October 1992 to February 1995 , he served in Japan as the Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer for the “ Liberty Bells ” of VAW - 115 . His tour included one Operation SOUTHERN WATCH deployment and multiple surge operations to the Western Pacific . He next served as the Senior Operations Officer and SIOP Officer for the Joint Staff J - 3 / National Military Command Center in the Pentagon . During this tour , he was involved in such operations as JOINT ENDEAVOR , DESERT STRIKE , and the O ’ Grady Rescue . In October 1997 , Rear Admiral Klunder again reported to Japan and VAW - 115 as Executive Officer and continued with command of the “ Liberty Bells ” from January 1999 to May 2000 . During his command tour , VAW - 115 received the Battle E , AEW Excellence and Golden Anchor awards . Following command , he reported to the National War College and graduated with a Masters in Strategic Studies in June 2001 . Rear Admiral Klunder was then assigned as a Joint Staff Liaison Officer to the U . S . State Department . There he was the Middle East Section Chief for Political - Military Affairs and heavily involved in diplomatic and coalition efforts for Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM . During this tour , he received the “ 2002 George C . Marshall Statesman ” award and screened for command of CVW - 2 . He completed an assignment as CAOC Deputy Director from August 2003 to November 2003 at Al Udeid AB in Qatar and reported as Deputy Commander , Carrier Air Wing TWO in November 2004 . He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing TWO on 24 February 2006 . During his tour , he completed two CVW - 2 Western Pacific / Indian Ocean deployments with highlights including Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina Relief and Exercises VALIANT SHIELD , FOAL EAGLE , RIMPAC , and JADED THUNDER . In September 2007 , Rear Admiral Klunder reported to OPNAV staff where he served as Deputy Director for Information , Plans and Security under N3 / 5 . In May 2008 , he was selected as the 83rd Commandant of Midshipmen at the U . S . Naval Academy . Klunder was selected in 2009 for promotion to Rear Admiral , and was relieved as Commandant of Midshipmen by Captain Robert E . Clark II on 17 April 2010 . Rear Admiral Klunder pinned on his first star on 28 May 2010 .