Bryan D. Brown | |
|---|---|
 General Bryan D. Brown | |
| Nickname(s) | Doug |
| Born | October 20, 1948 |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–2007 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Special Operations Command United States Army Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War Operation Urgent Fury Gulf War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal Complete list |
Bryan Douglas "Doug" Brown (born October 20, 1948)[1] is a retired four-star United States Army general. He retired in 2007 after four decades of military service. In his final assignment, he served as the seventh commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), from September 2, 2003, until July 9, 2007. As USSOCOM's commander, he was responsible for all unified special operations forces, both active duty and reserve.
Brown joined the United States Army in 1967 as a private in the infantry and after graduating from Special Forces Qualification Course, he became a Green Beret. He enrolled in Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 1970. After attending Army Aviation School, he deployed to Vietnam as a UH-1 helicopter pilot. After the Vietnam War, he was part of a task force that would go on to later found the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in 1981. During his stint in the 160th SOAR, Brown took part in numerous contingency operations in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1983, Brown participated in the invasion of Grenada where his unit became the first aviation unit to use night vision goggles in combat. In the late 1980s, he led the 160th as it was assigned to Operation Prime Chance in the Persian Gulf amidst the Iran–Iraq War. Shortly thereafter, he commanded a battalion within 160th SOAR during Operation Desert Storm; after which he was promoted to colonel and commander of the regiment. After leaving 160th SOAR, Brown served at the helm of Joint Special Operations Command from 1998 to 2000 and then United States Army Special Operations Command from 2000 to 2002.
In 2002, Brown became the deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and, holding the post until 2003 when he was selected to replace Air Force General Charles R. Holland as Commander of United States Special Operations Command. Shortly after becoming the head of USSOCOM, in 2004, he was involved in the aftermath of the Pat Tillman friendly fire incident which culminated when he testified before the congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2007. Also during his tenure in command of USSOCOM, he announced the creation of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command in 2006. Brown retired in 2007 after leading USSOCOM through four years of the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.