Official Biography

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 of Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC, he reported to the School of Music in Norfolk, VA.

After graduation, he reported to the Second Marine Division Band, Camp Lejeune, NC, as a Tuba Instrumentalist. In February 2007, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 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.

In 2008, Corporal Duncan then attached as an individual augment with II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Intelligence Group (G-2) as the Assistant Operations Chief. In October 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2009. He also integrated and served with the 7th Division Mobile Iraqi Training Team as a driver/gunner/instructor and a Corporals Course instructor with II Marine Headquarters Group for two cycles.

Sergeant Duncan returned from deployment in December 2009 and then received orders to the Marine Forces Pacific Band in Hawaii. In 2011, Sergeant Duncan became a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor (MAI) and a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS). 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 served as the Supply SNCIOC, Tuba Section leader, and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician (IRT).

In May of 2016, Staff Sergeant Duncan reported to the III MEF Band, in Okinawa, Japan. There he served in myriad billets including Platoon Sergeant, Brass Band unit leader, Tuba Section leader, MAI, MCIWS, Fiscal and Supply SNCOIC, Defense Travel Approving Official, and Assistant IRT. He was nominated as 2018 Senior Musician of the Year award for the III MEF Band.

From July 2019 to July 2020, Staff Sergeant Duncan was selected to the command billet of Instrument Repair Technician (5523) and attended the band instrument repair program at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, Minnesota where he graduated with Honors. 

In July 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Duncan reported to the First Marine Division Band in Camp Pendleton, California where he served as the Band’s Instrument Repair Technician and interim Bandmaster. His responsibilities encompassed the Band’s logistical, supply, fiscal, Defense Travel System, building, and safety sections.

As of July 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Duncan serves as the Instrument Repair Technician with the Marine Detachment, Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA.

Gunnery Sergeant Duncan’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star in lieu of second award. Further, GySgt Duncan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies from American Military University and an Associates in Band Instrument Repair. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration.

He is married to Ashley Duncan and has two children, Wyatt and Ainsly