Lieutenant Matt Fahner is a native of Hollywood, California, and raised in Gig Harbor, Washington. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1991 and left active duty in 1994 to attend Portland State University, where he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors degree in Economic Theory. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Supply Corps through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, in February of 1999.

Matt's initial assignment after graduating from Navy Supply Corps' Basic Qualifications Course in Athens, Georgia, was with Commander Squadron One (COMPSRON ONE) of the Prepositioned Ships program under the Military Sealift Command in the Mediterranean Sea. There he served as the supply officer on the commodore's staff. During this tour at COMPSRON

ONE, he participated in many inter-service and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercises.

In 2001, Matt reported to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) where he served as the sales/disbursing officer. During his tour, Matt completed his qualifications as a Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer (SWSCO).

In 2003, Matt served in the aviation support division on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, where he was responsible for overseeing 25 military and civilian workers with an inventory valued at more than 300 million dollars. During his tour, Matt completed his qualifications as a Naval Aviation Supply Officer (NASO).