SgtMaj Brown enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1987 and attended recruit training Parris Island, South Carolina. Following completion of recruit training Private Brown reported to the Assault Amphibian School Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California for training as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle crewman. .
Upon graduation from MOS School in January 1988, PFC Brown checked into Alpha Company, 1st AA Battalion, MCB Butler, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan for duty as an AAV crewman. While serving with 1st AA Battalion PFC Brown participated in various training operations on Okinawa as well as a deployment to Korea in support of Operation Team Spirit and Operation Bear Hunt.
In July 1988 LCpl brown transferred to Bravo Company, 3D AA Bn onboard Camp Pendleton. LCpl Brown served as an AAV Crew chief on a six month deployment with the 31st MEU before returning in July 1990 and immediately redeploying to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield. During Desert Storm LCpl Brown served with Obstacle Clearance Detachment 1, Team Tank, Task Force Ripper as a crew chief for an AAV equipped with an Mk-154 mine-clearing line charge.
Upon returning to Camp Pendleton in April 1991, Cpl Brown transferred to Assault Amphibian School as an AAV instructor where he performed duties as a line Crew Chief and Weapons System/Platform Instructor. While at the school he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and qualified for a secondary MOS of 2141, Basic AAV Mechanic. During this period, he also completed the NCO School and finished in the top 10% of his class.
Sgt Brown transferred to C Company, 3D AABn, Camp Pendleton in August 1995. During his two year tour with 3rd AA Bn. Sgt Brown completed two deployments to Okinawa was involved in numerous work-ups, short deployments to 29 Palms, and shipboard operations.
In 1997, SSgt Brown attended Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego, and upon graduation was assigned to Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. While serving with Hotel Company SSgt Brown served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor for six successful training cycles. During this period, SSgt Brown also attended the Career Course, where he graduated with honors.
In October 1999, SSgt Brown was afforded the opportunity to attend the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program in Quantico, Virginia where he graduated as the class honor graduate. SSgt Brown returned to MCRD San Diego and served as a Platform Instructor and later as the SNCOIC of Close Combat.
During the summer of 2000 SSgt Brown transferred to Combat Support Company, 3d Marine Regiment Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. While at CSC, he performed duties including Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander, Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant. SSgt Brown advanced to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and deployed in support of several work-ups and operations in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Australia. In early 2002 GySgt Brown attended the Advanced Course, where he graduated second in his class.
In mid-2003 GySgt Brown was reassigned to A Company, 3D AABn in CPCA and deployed in early 2004 as the operations chief in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the vicinity of Fallujah Iraq.
Upon return to CONUS and promotion to First Sergeant, 1stSgt Brown transferred to School of Infantry West. While with SOI, 1stSgt Brown was the First Sergeant for Fox Company, Student Administration Company, Separations Company as well as Advanced Infantry Training Company.
In January 2008, 1stSgt Brown moved to Okinawa and was assigned to General Support Motor Transport Company, 3rd Combat Logistics Regiment. While with CLR-3, 1stSgt Brown deployed with the Regiment to Thailand as the Regimental Sergeant Major for Exercise Cobra Gold ‘08 and supported Operation Caring Response following the natural disaster in Burma. In December 2008 SgtMaj Brown transferred to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18, MACG-18, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.
In November 2009, SgtMaj Brown transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion 4. The SgtMaj deployed in support of OEF from January to August 2012 in the vicinity of Camp Leatherneck. SgtMaj Brown transferred to the School Of Infantry East in June of 2014 where he currently serves as the School Sergeant Major.
SgtMaj Brown’s personnel awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a combat V and two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star, and Combat Action Ribbon with a gold star.