Lieutenant Commander Matthew J. Previts

Deputy Department Head,

NR Navy Special Warfare IWC 18

A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Lieutenant Commander Matthew J. Previts graduated from Spring Hill College in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Computer Information Systems.  He earned a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Science in Management of Information Systems in 2002 from Case Western Reserve University.  A lifelong Clevelander, Matt works for Logicalis, Inc an international technology firm serving commercial, government, and education clients. He has served as a board member for the Foundry Rowing and Sailing Center, board chair for the Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments in Cleveland and Dayton, board member of the Union Club, and chairman of the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association. He previously served on the board of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland the USO of Northern Ohio. Matt was recognized in 2016 by Crain’s Cleveland Business as Top 40 under the age of 40 leader in Cleveland. 

Lt. Commander Previts’ was commissioned via the Direct Commission Officer Program onboard the USS Cod on May 7, 2015. Lt. Commander Previts first assignment was with the Office of Naval Intelligence 1992 as security manager.  While at ONI 1992, he supported NAVWAR defensive cyberoperation missions to the 5th Fleet in Bahrain and 7th Fleet in Japan while earning the information warfare qualification.  In April of 2018, he reported to Navy Special Warfare Seal Team 18 Information Warfare component as the Officer in Charge of the mobile communications detachment.  During this tour, he supported Operation Trident 19-2 and completed a deployment to Afghanistan working in support of SOCOM and NATO missions.  Lt. Commander Previts also worked for the Navy Office of Community Outreach as the in city planner for 2018 and 2023 Navy Week Cleveland.  In April of 2022, Lt. Commander Previts reported to US Southern Command / Fourth Fleet as a staff communications planner, communications department head and deputy director for the Non-enemy evacuation operations team.   He is a graduate of the JPME Phase 1 via the Naval War College.  Lt. Commander Previts assumed command of the Navy Reserve Command Pacific Fleet Joint Mobile Ashore Support Team Tucson unit on December 1, 2025.

Lt. Commander Previts’ personal awards include the Joint Commendation Medal with “C”, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal with “C”, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and multiple unit and service awards.   He is a founding member and current chairman of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation.   Matt is blissfully married to his lovely wife of 13 years, Lisa and together they are raising four children (Abigail, Caleb, Clara and Vivian) in Rocky River, Ohio.