LtColBrian S. Schenk
LtCol Schenk has served as the Deputy Branch Head for Marine Aviation Manpower and Support (ASM) at HQMC Aviation since December 2011. Heis a graduate of University of California San Diego and holds a Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering.
After completing The Basic School in May 1995 2ndLt Schenk subsequently attended flight training in VT-6 and VT-22. Designated a Naval Aviator in June 1998, he was ordered to the FRS at MCAS Miramar and completed his transition training to the F/A-18 Hornet in Nov 1999.
In December 1999 Captain Schenk joined VMFA-323 at MCAS Miramar where he completed two combat deployments aboard USS CONSTELLATION supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. While in VMFA-323 he held the billets of Personnel Officer, Legal Officer, Schedules Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer. During this time he was designated a Division Leader, Air Combat Tactics Instructor (ACTI), and Air Wing qualified Landing Signals Officer (LSO).
In July 2003 Captain Schenk reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for duty as the Western Recruiting Region’s Quality Control Officer. His responsibilities included monitoring the day-to-day status of the Western Recruiting Region’s Officer Program Mission for the Marine Corps.
Captain Schenk reported to VMFA-232 in July 2004 and was charged with preparing the Red Devils for their first carrier deployment under the TACAIR Integration Memorandum of Agreement. Completing two combat carrier based combat deployments aboard USS NIMITZ in support of OperationsIRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, he held the billets of Assistant Operations Officer, Head LSO, Pilot Training Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps’ Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Yuma, Arizona and has been designated a Mission Commander, Functional Check Flight (FCF) pilot, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor (LAT(I)), Night Systems Instructor (NS(I)), and Air Interdiction Mission Commander (AIMC).
Major Schenk reported to MAWTS-1 in November 2007 where,as an F/A-18 Instructor, he served as the GPS Weapons SME, Director of Safety and Standardization, and TACAIR Department Head. He reported to HQMC AVN in July 2010 where he worked the TACAIR Plans and Integration desk of Aviation Plans and Policies for a year and a half before moving to take the Deputy Branch Head billet in ASM..
LtCol Schenk’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (with combat ‘V’), Strike/Flight Air Medal (numeral 4), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold star in lieu of 2nd award, with combat ‘V’). Happily married, LtCol Schenk and his wife, Kara, now live in Alexandria, VA with their two daughters.