Lieutenant Colonel Behrends is a native of Victoria, Texas. He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Global Security and Intelligence Studies. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and reported to Alpha Company 09 at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
After graduating from TBS in April 2009, he reported to Marine Air Training Support Group 21 in Pensacola, Florida to begin formal training as a Student Naval Aviator. He was designated a Naval Aviator in April 2011 and reported to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California for advanced helicopter training in the AH-1W with follow on assignment to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron
367.
Lieutenant Colonel Behrends deployed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262(REIN) as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Fall 2012 where he served in S-3 Operations. After returning to MCAS Camp Pendleton, he conducted series conversion training to the AH-1Z and reported to HMLA-169, where he deployed with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161(REIN) as part of the 15th MEU in 2015. In 2016, he attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course and was designated an AH-1Z WTI. Following this assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Behrends was assigned to HMLA-469 as the squadron’s first AH-1Z Pilot Training Officer. In early 2017, he returned to HMLA-169 to serve as Assistant Operations Officer and deployed on Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan in 2017. Upon returning from UDP in 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Behrends reported to Marine Forces Special Operations Command for assignment as Marine Special Operations Company November Air/Fires Officer, 3d Marine Raider Battalion (MRB). He deployed with MSOC November in support of Operation OCTAVE SHIELD to the United States Africa Command Area of Responsibility in 2019. Shortly after returning from this deployment, he was assigned to MSOC Hotel, 2d MRB, and deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE within the United States Central Command AOR in 2020 as MSOC Hotel Air/Fires Officer.
In 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Behrends reported to MCAS New River, North Carolina for duty with HMLA-269, serving as S-Shop Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer. In 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Behrends returned to Marine Forces Special Operations Command for duties as G-3 Assistant Air/Fires Officer and G-3 Air/Fires Officer.
In May 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Behrends assumed duties as commanding officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS New River.
His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.