Maj. Matt Shortal is a native of Chicago, Ill., and he graduated with honors from St. Pius X High School in Atlanta, Ga., in 1990. He attended the University of Illinois on a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship where he ran varsity track and graduated in 1994 with a B.S. in Accountancy and CPA designation.

Matt then reported to Quantico, Va., for The Basic School. He reported for aviation indoctrination at NAS Pensacola, Fla., and primary flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Fla. Matt transferred to NAS Meridian, Miss., for intermediate flight training, and NAS Kingsville, Texas, for advanced flight training. He received his wings of gold in February 1997.

Matt then transferred to Marine Corps Strike Fighter Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT 101) at MCAS El Toro, Calif., for training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In July 1998, he reported to VMFA 232 at MCAS Miramar, Calif., and completed one Unit Deployment Program to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as the S-1 officer. In February 2001, Matt transferred to VMFAT 101 as an instructor pilot. He served as the assistant air-to-ground phase head and night attack phase head. Matt was also a member of the All-Marine Triathlon Team in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2002, he also represented the United States as a member of Team USA at the World Long Course Triathlon Championships in Nice, France.

In December 2002, Matt transferred to VMFA (AW) 225 as the pilot training officer, and flew 36 combat missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. He reported to NAS Fallon, Nev., for the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in May 2003, and graduated in July. Matt also graduated from Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS 1) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course.

Matt deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in March 2004 for another UDP. In September 2004, Matt was selected as the 2004 Marine Corps Aviator of the Year, earning the Alfred A. Cunningham Award.