Major Matthew (“Matt”) Snell is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Law, U.S.
Air Force Academy. He teaches Law for Air Force Officers, a core course for all cadets.

Maj Snell received his undergraduate degree at Utah State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in both Political Science and Economics. He later graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Major Snell is married to Stephanie (“Steph”) Snell, and admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of Connecticut.

Maj Snell commissioned through the Direct Appointment Program in 2016. Before coming to teach at the Academy, Maj Snell was one of six traveling senior prosecutors for non-covered offenses. He has served as a District Trial Counsel, Wing Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Area Defense Counsel, and Assistant Staff Judge Advocate. In 2019, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of both U.S. Forces-Afghanistan and NATO forces.

Squadron Officer School, in residence, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2020)

Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, Quinnipiac University, New Haven, Conn. (2015)

Bachelor of Science, dual major in Economics and Political Science and a minor in Mathematics, Utah State University, Utah (2009)

District Trial Counsel, District 2, Government Trial and Appellate Operations Division, Military Justice and Discipline Directorate, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (June 2024 – June 2026)

Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 42d Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (August 2022 – June 2024)

Area Defense Counsel, Military Justice and Discipline Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (August 2020 – August 2022)

Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. (August 2018 – August 2020)

Deployed Fiscal, Contract, Operations, and International Law Advisor, Resolute Support and United States Forces – Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan (April 2019 – October 2019)

Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Okla. (April 2016 – August 2018)

Meritorious Service Medal

Field Grade Officer of the Year, 42d Air Base Wing (2023)

Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

NATO Medal