LCDR Matthew R. Kleine

Executive Officer, USS JACK H. LUCAS (DDG 125)

13 June 2023 LCDR Matthew Kleine earned a Bachelor of Science in Research Meteorology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2008 with a Minor in Mathematics. He subsequently received his commissioning through Embry-Riddle’s ROTC program that same year.

He served onboard USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) as the Ordnance Officer and Auxiliaries officer. He later reported to USS INGRAHAM (FFG 61) as Training Officer, executed counter drug operations off Panama and carried INGRAHAM through a compressed Basic Phase.

LCDR Kleine attended Naval Postgraduate School, where he participated in a dual Master program with the National University of Singapore. He completed JPME Phase I, earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and Analysis, and a Master of Science in Defense Systems Technology with a thesis in countering Chinese expansion in the Pacific.

He reported as Chief Engineer onboard USS MILIUS (DDG 69) as the first single long tour CHENG. He carried his department through both Damage Control and Engineering Certifications, leading to a successful home port shift to Yokosuka, Japan and two years of operations at sea.

LCDR Kleine executed his post Department Head shore tour at Surface Warfare Officer School Newport, in July 2020, as the Gas Turbine Course Supervisor and Prospective Engineering Officer Common Core Course Supervisor. In this role, he trained future ship-bound Chief Engineers in their Department Head roles.

In June of 2023, LCDR Kleine reported as Executive Officer to USS JACK H. LUCAS (DDG 125). DDG 125 is undergoing final stages of construction and will be commissioned in 2023 with a homeport location of San Diego, California.