ARTICLE

February 2004

From Buck Private to Chief of SOCOM

by Harold Kennedy

Gen. Bryan “Doug” Brown—who became head of the U.S. Special Operations Command in September—joined the Army as a private in 1967.

Once he completed Airborne School and the Special Forces Qualifications Course, he began his special operations career as a Green Beret sergeant on a Special Forces A Team.

After a tour in Vietnam, Brown attended officer candidate school. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and returned to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.

Since then, Brown said, he has commanded at all levels, including three companies, two battalions and the U.S. military’s only special operations aviation brigade. He also headed the Joint Special Operations Command and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

In addition to Vietnam, Brown’s combat experience includes the 1983 invasion of Grenada as a member of the JSOC. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, he commanded a battalion of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

From 1994 to 1996, Brown was assistant division commander (maneuver) of the 1st Infantry Division.

Back To Top