Chaplain Mark Brooks a native of Bristol, VA, is a 1991 graduate from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Upon graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserve. He completed Armor Officer Basic Course, FT. Knox, KY in 1992. In November 1992 he was employed by the Virginia State Police and served as a Trooper for 10 years.
In 2002 Chaplain Brooks was retired from the Virginia State Police due to a line-of-duty injury. In 2005 he earned a Master’s of Missiology from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2007 he was commissioned as a Chaplain and completed Officer Indoctrination School and the Chaplain Basic Course in Newport Rhode Island. Upon completion of the Basic Course, he was assigned to the 3D Marine Logistic Group, Okinawa Japan. Chaplain Brooks deployed with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion in support of OIF 08.2. Additional assignments in Okinawa included 3D Medical Battalion and Combat Logistics Battalion 4. In May of 2010 Chaplain Brooks received orders to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune as the Chaplain for the Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East. He was assigned to Headquarters and Support Battalion from December 2011 to February 2014. In 2014 Chaplain Brooks transferred to the Navy Reserve SELRES. His reserve assignments include MEFREL 105, 4th Medical Battalion, and CNRSE Regional Operations Center. In July of 2017 Chaplain Brooks volunteered for a period of extended Active Duty in support of Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven, Naval Air Station Jacksonville FL. He remained on orders until November 2018. In November 2019 Chaplain Brooks took orders to 6th Marine Corps District, Eastern Recruiting Region, MCRD Parris Island. He served as Chaplain for Task Force Commitment from April to August 2020. His next assignment was MAG-49 until 2022. Chaplain Brooks is currently serving as the Force Headquarters Group Chaplain and the Deputy Force Chaplain, Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans LA.
Chaplain Brooks is ordained in the Anglican Catholic Church. His awards and qualifications include, Navy Commendation Medal (3), Iraq Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer.