Colonel Lynn Berendsen hails from Kansas and began his Marine Corps
career at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in January 1995. In 2000, he
was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2001 following his graduation from
the University of Kansas.
After completing The Basic School (TBS), the Infantry Officer Course, and the
Amphibious Officers Course, he served as a platoon commander with 2d Assault
Amphibian Battalion (2d AA Bn). He deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM
in 2005 with Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq.
In 2005, Capt Berendsen was assigned to TBS in Quantico, Virginia, where he served
as both an instructor and Staff Platoon Commander. He then attended Expeditionary
Warfare School, after which he returned to 2d AA Bn. In 2009, he deployed to Al Asad,
Iraq, as an individual augment to RCT-8, serving as the Assistant Current Operations
Officer. Upon returning, he commanded Company A from 2010 to 2011, deploying
aboard the USS IWO JIMA as the Ground Combat Element for Special Purpose
MAGTF Continuing Promise 2010, focused on operations in Central and South
America. He subsequently served as the Battalion Operations Officer.
In 2011, Maj Berendsen reported to the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation
Activity (MCOTEA), where he led the Amphibious Vehicle Branch. At MCOTEA, he
contributed to both the legacy AAV upgrade program and the development of the
future Amphibious Combat Vehicle. He attended Marine Corps Command and Staff
College in 2014, earning a Master’s Degree in Military Studies and graduating with
honors.
In 2015, he reported to 3d AA Bn and later deployed to Iraq in support of Operation
INHERENT RESOLVE, serving as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Division with Task Force
Al Taqaddum. He returned to serve as Battalion Executive Officer until June 2018.
LtCol Berendsen was then assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Plans, Policies,
and Operations Division at the Pentagon, where he served as the Assault Amphibian
Branch Head. He subsequently assumed command of 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion,
in 2d Marine Division, from 2019 to 2021. From 2021 to 2022, he attended the U.S.
Naval War College in Newport, RI, where he earned a Master’s Degree in National
Security and Strategic Studies, graduating with distinction.
In 2022, he reported to U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), where he initially
served as the J35 Future Operations Homeland Defense Branch Chief. He was
promoted to Colonel in 2024 and assumed the role of Chief of the Strategy, Policy, and
Doctrine Division in the J5. Additionally, he served as Chief of Operations (CHOPS) in
the N&NC Joint Operations Center and as the Marine Detachment Commander.