Brig. Gen. Matthew F. Blue serves as the Assistant Adjutant General for the District of Columbia National Guard, leading over 3,000 Air and Army Guardsmen. He is responsible for ensuring the readiness of the Guard's fighter, airlift, and support forces for global missions, the defense of the Nation's Capital, and local emergency response. As a principal advisor to the Commanding General, he oversees strategic planning, logistics, and personnel. Brig. Gen. Blue also plays a key role in high-visibility operations, leading congressional engagement and assisting in the execution of the President’s "DC Safe and Beautiful" mission.
Brig. Gen. Blue was commissioned in 2003 and served on active duty before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, where he was entrusted with assignments of increasing scope and authority. In 2016, he joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard, serving as the 113th Wing Staff Judge Advocate and subsequently as State Staff Judge Advocate and then the Director of Staff – Air, culminating in his current role as Assistant Adjutant General.
In his civilian capacity, Brig. Gen. Blue is the Chief (SES) of the Counterterrorism Section at the United States Department of Justice. He grew up in Arkansas and is licensed to practice law in the state of Arkansas and the District of Columbia.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Arts in History, Harding University, Searcy, Ark.
2003 Juris Doctor, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2018 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2003 – July 2006, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force – Mildenhall, United Kingdom
2. August 2006 – July 2007, Circuit Trial Counsel, Eastern Circuit, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C.
3. July 2007 – December 2007, Senior Trial Counsel, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.
4. December 2007 – September 2008, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 314th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. September 2008 – September 2009, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
6. September 2009 – June 2013, Appellate Counsel & Senior Trial Counsel, AFLOA, Andrews AFB, Md.
7. June 2013 – September 2015, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Headquarters, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va.
8. September 2015 – July 2016, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Md. 9. July 2016 – October 2016, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Legal Support Office, District of Columbia Air National Guard, Arlington, Va.
10. October 2016 – August 2019, Staff Judge Advocate, 113th Wing, JB Andrews, Md.
11. September 2019 – February 2025, State Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters, District of Columbia Air National Guard, Washington D.C.
12. March 2025 – February 2026, Director of Staff - Air, Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, Washington D.C.
13. March 2026 – Present, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, Washington D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
DC Meritorious Service Medal
DC Community Service Ribbon military
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2017 The United States Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security
2020 Air Combat Command Legal Office of the Year
2021 National Intelligence Certificate of Distinction
2021 Senior Executive Service
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant November 17, 2003
Captain July 1, 2004
Major November 15, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel October 15, 2016
Colonel October 16, 2020
Brigadier General March 16, 2026
(Current as of April 2026)