Senior Policy Advisor for Air National Guard

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew M. Groves is the Senior Policy Advisor for the Air National Guard to the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB), Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.  The Reserve Forces Policy Board serves as an independent adviser to the Secretary of Defense, providing advice and recommendations to the Secretary on strategies, policies, and practices designed to improve and enhance the capabilities, efficiency and effectiveness of the seven Reserve components. 

Lieutenant Colonel Groves received a reserve commission in September 1999 from Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, and is currently on a Statutory Tour with the Air National Guard. Lieutenant Colonel Groves is a senior pilot with more than 2,000 hours. Prior to being assigned to the RFPB, Lieutenant Colonel Groves was the Commander, 123d Global Mobility Readiness Squadron, 123d Contingency Response Group, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville International Airport, Kentucky.

EDUCATION

  • 1997 Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources, University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
  • 1999 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL.
  • 2006 Top third graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL.
  • 2009 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL.
  • 2012 Certificate - Legislative Studies, Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  • 2013 Air War College, by Correspondence

    • ASSIGNMENTS

    1. September 1999 – November 2001, Student Pilot, Columbus, MS, Corpus Christi, TX, and Little Rock, AR.
    2. November 2001 – January 2005, C-130 Aircraft Commander, 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, NC.
    3. February 2005 – December 2005, C-130 Aircraft Commander, 130th Airlift Squadron, Charleston, WV.
    4. January 2006 – February 2007, C-130 Instructor Pilot and Counterdrug Air Liaison Officer, 165th Airlift Squadron, Louisville, KY.
    5. February 2007 – July 2008, Assistant Director of Operations, 165th Airlift Squadron, Louisville, KY.
    6. July 2008 – June 2009, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL.
    7. July 2009 – November 2009, Chief of Wing Plans, 123d Air Wing, Louisville, KY.
    8. November 2009 – July 2011, Director, State Partnership Program, Kentucky National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Frankfort, KY.
    9. July 2011 – December 2012, Department of Defense Legislative Fellow, Office of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Washington, DC.
    10. December 2012 – June 2013, Staff Officer, Air Force Senate Liaison Office, Washington, DC.
    11. June 2013 – September 2014, Commander, 123d Operations Support Squadron, Louisville, KY.
    12. September 2014 – January 2016, Commander, 123d Global Mobility Readiness Squadron, Louisville, KY.
    13. January 2016 – Present: Chief of Staff, Senior Policy Advisor for the Air National Guard to the Reserve Forces Policy Board, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C

    FLIGHT INFORMATION

    • Rating: Senior pilot
    • Flight hours: More than 2,000
    • Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-44, C-130E, C-130H, C-130J-30

    MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

    • Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
    • Air Medal
    • Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
    • Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
    • Army Commendation Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

    EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

    • Second Lieutenant Sept. 30, 1999
    • First Lieutenant Sept. 30, 2001
    • Captain Sept. 30, 2003
    • Major Nov. 17, 2007
    • Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 16, 2011


    (Current as of January 2016)

    Lieutenant Colonel Matthew M. Groves

    Lieutenant Colonel Matthew M. Groves