Colonel Brian J. Donlon is Director of the School of Advanced Warfighting.
He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002 with a B.A. in History and a Master of Teaching in Secondary Social Studies Education.
He is also a graduate of The Basic School (distinguished graduate), the Infantry Officers Course, Expeditionary Warfare School (distinguished graduate), Command and Staff College nonresident program (distinguished graduate), School of Advanced Warfare (General Clifton B. Cates Award), Army War College nonresident program (distinguished graduate), and Texas A&M University (as part of the Marine Corps PhD Strategist Program).
His deployments include one deployment to Okinawa, two combat deployments to Iraq, and two combat deployments to Afghanistan. As a battalion commander he deployed to northern Norway as part of Marine Rotational Force – Europe with a company in Spain supporting Special Purpose MAGTF – Crisis Response – Africa.
Other assignments include Infantry Platoon Commander, Combat Instructor Company, The Basic School; Instructor and Class Advisor, the Infantry Officers Course; Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station San Diego; Lead MAGTF Planner, Pacific Plans (China), G-5 (Plans), III MEF; Future Operations Officer, 2d MEB; Branch Head, Strategy Branch, HQMC (PP&O), where he was detailed twice: (1) to the 2025 National Defense Strategy Core Writing Team and (2) as Special Advisor to Commander USSOCOM.
Colonel Donlon is a four-time award winning author and has been published in The Journal of Military History, Marine Corps History, Marine Corps Gazette, Naval Institute Proceedings, Outdoor Life, and War Room.
Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold star, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star, and the Norwegian Army Medal of Merit.