Matthew J. Wignall serves as the Deputy Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard. In this assignment he helps lead the Vermont Military Department, providing guidance to the Adjutant General on readiness, personnel, and resource management, while overseeing programs that directly impact Vermont’s service members and their families.

Mr. Wignall began his military career in May 2000 as a Boatswains Mate in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, at Coast Guard Station Burlington, VT. He graduated from Norwich University in May 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in business management, commissioning as an Armor Officer in the United States Army.

A combat-decorated Soldier and leader, Mr. Wignall served primarily in the combat arms community as a military mountaineer, leading troops at multiple echelons in both garrison and combat environments. He commanded the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) during its 2021 deployment to U.S. Central Command and later commanded the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School. He retired from military service in September 2024.

His service and combat awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Valorous Unit Award. He remains most proud of the collective efforts of his Soldiers, whose actions during the evacuation of Afghanistan, as well as the safeguarding of displaced personnel across the CENTCOM area of responsibility, earned the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Following his military career, Mr. Wignall continued his service supporting the Vermont National Guard in human resource management and organizational leadership. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Norwich University. He remains committed to serving Vermont’s military community and improving outcomes for service members, veterans, and military families.