Commanding Officer
Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement
Captain Matthew Blanchette assumed command of the Office of Naval Intelligence Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement in June 2026. Prior to this assignment, he served as the chief of staff at Naval Intelligence Activity.
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Blanchette graduated in 2002 from the Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and earned his commission through the NROTC program. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He served as a surface warfare officer for five years before laterally transferring to the intelligence community in 2007.
Blanchette’s operational assignments include the USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79); Special Boat Team 20; Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center; and Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
Ashore, his assignments include the NCIS Multiple Threat Alert Center; National Counterterrorism Center; U.S. Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center; Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement; Office of Naval Intelligence; and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (OPNAV N7). Blanchette also previously commanded the Joint Targets Squadron at the JSOC Intelligence Brigade.