Colonel Matt Johnson currently serves as the Commander of the White Sands Test Center, where he oversees critical testing and evaluation operations for the U.S. Army. Commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2001 through Colorado State University’s ROTC program, COL Johnson has built a distinguished career spanning operational leadership, acquisition expertise, and strategic planning.

COL Johnson’s operational assignments include serving as a Bradley platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry in the Republic of Korea; Battalion Adjutant and later Company Executive Officer with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry at Fort Drum, New York, where he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and Brigade Assistant Operations Officer roles with both the 1st Infantry Division and the 1st Armored Division.

His command assignments include leading A Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, later reflagged as 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor, during a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also served as Product Manager for Bradley Fighting Vehicles within the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, where he contributed to advancing the Army’s armored vehicle capabilities.

In the acquisition domain, COL Johnson has held pivotal roles, including Assistant Product Manager for PEO Soldier, where he deployed to Afghanistan; Systems Technical Manager for Dismounted Systems at the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC); Test Officer and Division Chief for the Network Test Division at Operational Test Command; Division Chief for Light Combat Systems at the Maneuver Center of Excellence; and Deputy, later Director of Operations, for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology).

COL Johnson’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Colorado State University, a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. His education reflects a commitment to both technical expertise and strategic leadership.

His awards and decorations include the Master Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), and Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster).