2022 Tillman Scholar

Matthew Rohrback

Army
Harvard Law School
Juris Doctor

“I want to help protect those who have sworn to protect our country and advance the common good.”

Raised in a family that instilled the importance of public service, Matt attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he studied political science and Chinese. After commissioning into the active Army in 2014, Matt served as a cavalry officer until 2020 and went on to earn an M.A. from the Universität der Bundeswehr München. His experiences working alongside American allies and partners overseas gave him a deeper appreciation for the important legal questions that frame American military power and institutions. 

Recognizing the essential and irreplaceable value of each individual member of the armed services, Matt came to better understand the importance of ensuring adequate legal and structural protections for those who have sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution.  In and outside of the Army, Matt’s overseas educational experiences in Taiwan, China, and Germany challenged and broadened his understanding of America’s role in the world, and the importance of maintaining the domestic institutions that safeguard the rule of law. 

These experiences inspired Matt to continue a career in public service while engaging meaningfully in his local community. As a future lawyer, Matt hopes to bring his perspective as a veteran to contribute a meaningful voice towards policy reform and advancing the common good.