Matt Kitchin, a Vermont native, serves as the Director of Military Engagement for the Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation, where he leverages more than 30 years of operational, leadership, and international engagement experience to build enduring partnerships across the global special operations community.
Matt began his military career in 1993, serving in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, ultimately retiring as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Special Forces. A graduate of the elite Special Forces Qualification Course, Matt spent most of his career with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he held key leadership positions, including Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) Team Sergeant, Company Sergeant Major, Battalion Operations Sergeant Major, and Command Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion, 10th SFG(A).
His extensive international experience includes serving at NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Belgium and later as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Operations Directorate (J3) at Special Operations Command Europe in Germany. Matt has worked alongside allied and partner nation forces across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa—fostering multinational collaboration and mission success in some of the world’s most dynamic operational environments.
A passionate advocate for global SOF, Matt also served as an instructor at the U.S. Military Freefall School. He helped establish the Advanced Tactical Infiltration Course, shaping the next generation of Special Operations Forces.
As Director of Military Engagement at GSOF, Matt is focused on strengthening relationships among military partners, industry leaders, and government stakeholders. He plays a key role in planning and executing regional symposia and other engagements that support GSOF’s mission to advance interoperability and collaboration within the international SOF enterprise.
Matt graduated from the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis from Norwich University.