LtCol. Brandon D. Brown graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island in August 2000 and served for two years as a Field Radio Operator in the USMC Reserves until he was accepted for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship at The Citadel. He graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in May 2003 and completed The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. After being designated a Naval Aviator on Aug. 12, 2005, he was selected to fly the Boeing-Vertol CH-46E “Sea Knight”. He was later selected on FY-15 Transition Conversion Board and became a UH-1Y Pilot.
LtCol. Brown’s operational assignments include: HMM-265(+), 31st MEU, HMX-1, MAG-29 Headquarters, HMLA-167, VMM-162(+), 26th MEU, and 2d MAW G-3. During his four deployments with the 31st MEU, he deployed to the PACOM theater in support of multiple joint exercises and operations to include humanitarian assistance during Operation TOMODACHI. During his time with the 26th MEU, he deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
LtCol. Brown’s billet assignments include Communications Officer, Pilot Training Officer, WTI Augment Instructor, Presidential Support Pilot, Group Plans Officer, SPMAGTF Operations Officer, HMLA MEU Detachment OIC, Aviation Maintenance Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization, Future Operations Officer (2d MAW), and Executive Officer (MAG-29).
LtCol. Brown is a graduate of Officer Candidate School, the Basic Officer Course, Naval Aviation Flight Training, CH-46 Pilot Training, Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, Expeditionary Warfare School (Resident), Naval Aviation Maintenance Program Management Course, Command and Staff Distance Education Program, and UH-1 Pilot Conversion Training.
LtCol. Brown’s personal awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal (6th award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal (2nd award), and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.