Commander (CDR) George J. Brand II was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He enlisted in the Navy on 31 October 1995 and attended Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion, he received formal training at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Orlando, Florida for Nuclear Field Electronics Technician ‘A’ School and Nuclear Power School. While attending Nuclear Power School, the Navy selected CDR Brand for a Nurse Corps Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. In June of 2001, he graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and was commissioned an Ensign in the Nurse Corps.
In August of 2001, CDR Brand reported to Naval Hospital (NH) Camp Pendleton where he worked as a staff nurse on the medical and surgical floors, as well as the intensive care unit. While at NH Camp Pendleton, CDR deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in March 2003 with Fleet Hospital Eight as a critical care nurse, and again in February 2004 with Forward Resuscitative Surgical System 1 / Shock Trauma Platoon 2, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group as an en-route care nurse. He later transferred to 1st Medical Battalion in October 2004 where he served as the battalion training officer, and later assumed command of the Headquarters and Service Company.
In December 2006, CDR Brand reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego where he worked on the comprehensive combat and complex casualty care ward and intensive care unit as a staff nurse. During this tour, CDR Brand again deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in June 2008. While deployed with Medical Company, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, he served as an enroute care nurse, and later as the executive officer of Medical Company. In March 2009, CDR Brand reported to the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73), home ported in Yokosuka, Japan to serve as the ship’s nurse. During this period, he completed three Western Pacific deployments and participated in OPERATION TOMODACHI.
In June 2011, CDR Brand reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island to attend the College of Naval Command and Staff. He graduated in June 2012 with a Master’s of Arts in National Policy and Strategic Studies. In July 2012, he reported to Training and Education Command, MAGTF Training and Education Standards Division to serve as the Medical Programs Training Officer, and later as Branch Head, Logistics Combat Element Standards Branch. During this time he earned a Graduate Certificate in Medical Modeling Simulation Management from the Naval Postgraduate School.
CDR Brand reported to Navy Medicine Operational Training Center Detachment Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute in August 2015 to serve as the Assistant Officer in Charge and Director of Academics. In June 2019, CDR Brand again reported to the Naval War College to attend the College of Naval Warfare. He graduated in June 2020 with a Master’s of Arts in National Policy and Strategic Studies. He reported to Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in July 2020 to serve as the Force Nurse. During this tour, he also served as acting Deputy Force Surgeon for one year. He reported to Field Medical Training Battalion-West in Aug 2022 to serve as the Executive Officer.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of fourth award), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of third award). He is also qualified as a Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer and Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer.