Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Duncan is a native of Norcross, Georgia. His Marine Corps career started in September 2005 when he reported for Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. Upon graduation, Private First Class Duncan attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC. He then reported to the School of Music in Norfolk, VA. He graduated the Basic Music Course in August 2006 as a Lance Corporal.
After graduation, LCpl Duncan reported to the Second Marine Division Band, Camp Lejeune, NC, as a Tuba Instrumentalist. He was promoted to Corporal in August 2006. Shortly thereafter in February 2007, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Second Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion as a security guard for the Tactical Air Control Center and Provost Marshals Office for the base of Al Asad, Iraq. Returning in September 2007, he was assigned as a Fire Team Leader within the Band. In June 2008, he attended the Corporal’s Leadership Course and graduated as the Honor Graduate.
Corporal Duncan was then attached as an individual augment with II Marine Expeditionary Force G-2 (intelligence) as the Assistant Operations Chief. In October 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He then deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2009. He also integrated and served with the 7th Divisions Mobile Iraqi Training Team as a driver/gunner/instructor and a Corporals course instructor with II Marine Headquarters Group for two cycles. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance and professionalism while serving in these numerous billets.
Sergeant Duncan returned from deployment in December 2009, and then received orders to the Marine Forces Pacific Band in Hawaii. Upon reporting in April 2010, he attended the Sergeant’s resident course and graduated with honors. In 2011, Sergeant Duncan became a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor (MAI) and a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCWIS). From March 2012 to July 2013, Sergeant Duncan served as the Platoon Sergeant for the Band. Sergeant Duncan was promoted to Staff Sergeant in February 2014 and continued to serve as the Supply SNCIOC, Tuba Section Leader, and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician (IRT). In August 2014, he was a Distinguished Graduate from the SNCOA Career Course, Camp Pendleton, CA.
In May of 2016 Staff Sergeant Duncan reported to the III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Band, Okinawa, Japan. There he served in a myriad of billets to include: Platoon Sergeant, Brass Band unit leader, Tuba Section Leader, MAI, MCIWS, Fiscal and Supply SNCOIC, Defense Travel Approving Official and Assistant IRT. SSgt Duncan was the FY18 Senior Musician of the Year for the III MEF Band. Also, during this year, the III MEF Band was awarded the prestigious Marine Band of the Year award from Headquarters Marine Corps, for which Staff Sergeant Duncan greatly contributed.
From July 2019 to July 2020, Staff Sergeant Duncan attended the band instrument repair program at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, Minnesota where he graduated with Honors. While at Red Wing, Staff Sergeant Duncan volunteered with Habitat for Humanity as a construction manager and with Cub Scouts Pack 32 as the assistant Cubmaster.
In July 2020, Staff Sergeant Duncan reported to the First Marine Division Band in Camp Pendleton, California where he currently serves as the Band’s Instrument Repair Technician. On September 1 2020, he was promoted to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
He is married to Ashley Duncan of Aurora, CO. His two children, Wyatt, age seven and Ainsly, age five, were born in Hawaii.
Gunnery Sergeant Duncan’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award. Further, GySgt Duncan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies from American Military University. He also holds a 50-ton US Coast Guard Captain’s license with auxiliary and sailing endorsements and is an Instructor of CPR/AED/1st Aid with the American Red Cross. He is a certified Rescue Diver with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.