Brandon Broden reported to Officer Candidates School February 2013 via the OCC-R Program, upon commissioning he reported to The Basic School and followed on to Assault Amphibian School. First duty station was C Co, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion as a Platoon Commander. 2ndLt Broden prepared his Marines to execute monthly drills and the following annual training (AT) exercises: mechanized assault and amphibious operations with 4th Tanks aboard MCB Camp Pendleton (2014) and subsequently ITX 4-15 with MAGTF-25 aboard MCB 29 Palms.
1stLt Broden sought additional service opportunities and applied for positions in 29 Palms and South Florida. MARFORSOUTH called and Lt Broden signed orders to serve as a G-3 Watch Officer for one year. He was offered additional duty through FY17; though obligated service was complete per his contract, Lt Broden sought an overseas deployment opportunity. He capitalized on an opportunity through volunteering as an Individual Augment (IA) with Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve for a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait as an Assistant Operations Officer (J-33) serving XVIII Airborne Corps and the subsequent III Armored Corps commands.
Promoted in country, Captain Broden completed his tour of duty concurrently while attending Expeditionary Warfare School (CDET), upon return CONUS he graduated from the 2-year program. March 2018, transferred to the IRR and 6 months of civilian employment with Department of Homeland Security ensued.
January 2019, Capt Broden interviewed and subsequently executed orders to serve as the S-3 and S-4 at Wounded Warrior Battalion East, Detachment San Antonio aboard Joint Base San Antonio, Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas to assist with the care, training, and transition of those wounded, ill, or injured Marines. ADOS service limitations were reached in April 2021, however HQMC called with a hot-fill billet at HQMC PP&O, Operations Division.
Waivers signed by M&RA, Capt Broden reported to the Pentagon to serve as an Action Officer within Current Operations for 4 months. Two extensions equating to 12 months of additional service, Capt Broden interviewed for an advertised billet as a Watch Officer within MARCENT G-3. Capt Broden served to fill a gap within the G-3 Watch team for 3 months, the brevity of the set of orders was in part because of a deployment commitment scheduled for early to late 2023. In conjunction with MARFORRES G-1 and 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, Capt Broden was manifested for a 9-month mobilization to lead a platoon from WPNS Co, 3/25 IOT conduct security operations aboard Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon demobilization, Capt Broden served at BN S-3 offices and in February 2024, took command of H&S Company, 3/25.
Major Broden is based in South Florida and operates within the maritime industry as a small business owner. Continuing education programs in solar technology and maritime science commence 2024 with expected graduation 2026. For time outside of duty, the list of activities enjoyed are as follows: spending time with family and fellow Veterans, hunting, boating, scuba diving, achieving running goals, attending sporting events, volunteering with Scouting and local non-profit organizations. Lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association and Holland Lodge #1 A.F.A.M.