Brandon Griffin

Lieutenant Colonel Brandon S. Griffin was born in Athens, Georgia and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.  He commissioned through ROTC as an Infantry Officer in 1999.  His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Captains’ Career Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, and the Command General Staff College, Joint Planners Military Education II.  In 2015, he received a Master’s of Arts in International Relations from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2020, he was selected for Senior Service College Fellowship at Yale University.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Griffin’s first assignment was in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  There, he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Executive Officer and Anti-Armor Platoon Leader in 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.  LTC Griffin as a Rifle Platoon Leader, served in Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo.  Following these assignments, he attended the Special Forces Detachment Officers Qualification Course in 2004 and was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), commanding Special Forces Operational Detachment – A 316.  As a detachment commander, LTC Griffin participated in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) VII and IX.  Following detachment command, LTC Griffin served as the Assistant S3 and Operations Officer for 1st Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group. He then assumed command of 1st Battalion Headquarters Support Company and the SUPCEN Director for OEF XIII.  After leaving 3rd Special Forces group, LTC Griffin served in USASOC as a GWOT planner in the G35 as well as a planner for SOCOM and SOCCENT. Prior to Command General Staff College, LTC Griffin served as the Deputy J3 for CJSOTF-A during OEF XVII. LTC Griffin returned to 3rd SFG(A) in 3rd Battalion as Charlie Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer/SOTF Director for OEF XX and 3rd SFG(A) Operations Officer.  LTC Griffin completed his joint qualification as the SOCOM J32 and CJIATF-S DJ3/J3 as well as SOTF-N Commander in Erbil, Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve.  LTC Griffin commanded Able Squadron in the Asymmetric Warfare Group and most recently served as the DG3 at USASOC. 

Some of Major Griffin’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with ‘V’ Device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.  His qualifications include the Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Airborne Master wings, Expert Infantrymen’s Badge and Combat Infantrymen’s Badge. LTC Griffin is married to the former Elizabeth Smith of Stone Mountain, Georgia.  They have two sons: 12 year old Kenneth Braswell (Braz) and 10 year old Patrick Bryce Griffin.