Col. Matthew Rauscher
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Col Matthew Rauscher is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. where he graduated in 1995 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Science and Ergonomic Engineering and was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery officer. After completion of the Officer's Basic Course, he served as a Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle Platoon Leader in A Battery, 5th Battalion 5th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) at Camp Casey, Korea.

Upon his return, Rauscher served as the Deep Scout Platoon Leader in the Air Defense Battery, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). He then went on to serve as the

Executive Officer of the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1 Squadron, 3rd ACR at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1999 he attended the Air Defense Captain's Career Course before being assigned as the Officer Basic Course Short Range Air Defense Mentor. As a Captain, he served as the Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery and Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd ADA, Fort Bliss, Texas. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served as the 108th ADA Brigade Deputy Operations Officer. He was then selected to serve as the U.S. Army's Air Defense Exchange Officer to the Canadian Army.

Upon completion of the Command and General Staff College, he served as the Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 6th ADA. He then went on to serve as the Operations Officer and Deputy Commanding Officer of the 6th ADA Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas. Rauscher was then selected to serve as the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command/Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense. He then deployed to Afghanistan, where he served as the Deputy Commander for Regional Support Command-West, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

After returning, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 6th ADA, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He then went on to serve as the Branch Chief for Space and Missile Defense for the Joint Staff J7. Upon Completion of the Army War College, he has served as the Commander, 2nd Brigade, United States Army Cadet Command. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with one silver leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with two OLC), National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. LTC Rauscher is married to the former Jennifer Sakal and they have two children, Jacob and Alyssa.