Brian Mulhern

COL Brian Mulhern was born and raised in County Roscommon, Ireland before moving with his family to Stamford, CT at eight years old. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at The Citadel, Charleston South Carolina, in May 2000. He served in Infantry and Special Forces units for the past 20 years around the globe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, a Master’s of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master’s of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. COL Mulhern’s first assignment was to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Infantry Company Executive Officer, and as the Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD) Executive Officer, deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003 and 2004. In 2006, COL Mulhern graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and commanded Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha (ODA) 375/3315 in 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), deploying twice to Afghanistan (2006-2008) and Tajikistan. COL Mulhern was then assigned to Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) and served as an Operations Officer responsible for planning and synchronizing all U.S. Special Operations engagement in the Andean Ridge region of South America and as the Executive Officer to the SOCSOUTH Commanding General. COL Mulhern then served as the Battalion Operations Officer and Company Commander in 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida from 2014 to 2016. In 2015, he deployed as the tactical Commander of all U.S. Special Operations personnel in Central America; a 200 person force comprised of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Naval Special Boat Teams, Civil Affairs, and Military Information Support Teams. In 2016, he served as an interagency fellow and then in 2017, he served the Army Special Operations Colonels’ Human Resources Manager at Senior Leader Development, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army. In June 2018, COL Mulhern assumed command of 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and in August 2020, the Army selected COL Mulhern for a second Battalion command at the Southern California Recruiting Battalion in Mission Viejo, California. In 2022, COL Mulhern will attend Yale University for his Senior Service College Fellowship. COL Mulhern’s military education includes Airborne School, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Jumpmaster Course, the Naval War College, and the Army War College. COL Mulhern’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Diver Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab. COL Mulhern is married to the former Megan Betts from Stamford, CT. They have three daughters, six-year-old Aurora, four-year-old Sheila, and two-year-old Evelyn.