Biography

Commanding Officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 13
Lieutenant Colonel Brian L. McCarthy

Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy grew up in Sidney, Iowa, attended Officer Candidates School, and upon graduation from Simpson College with a BA in Political Science, received his commission in May 2005. After completing The Basic School, he was designated as a Logistics Officer and reported to Logistics Officer Basic Course in Camp Johnson, North Carolina.

 

In May 2006, Lieutenant McCarthy reported to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During this tour, Lieutenant McCarthy participated in two deployments to OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM: in 2007, as the Battalion S-4 Logistics Officer, and in 2008, as the Logistics Advisor for a Military Transition Team (MiTT 1-29-7). 

 

Captain McCarthy served with Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia, as its Battalion S-4 Logistics Officer from March 2009 to June 2012. During this tour, he oversaw the installation's merger into Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and deployed to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in 2010, where he served with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

 

In July 2012, Captain McCarthy reported to 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While serving with 2nd MLG from 2012 to 2015, he twice served as Company Commander, Combat Logistics Detachment Commander, and the Combat Logistics Battalion 2 S-3 Operations Officer. During this tour, Captain McCarthy deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in 2013 and with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa in 2014.

 

Major McCarthy served with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Camp Pendleton, California, as its S-4 Logistics Officer, from July 2016 to July 2018. During this tour, he deployed and supported Global War on Terrorism operations in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets area of operations. 

 

In August 2018, Major McCarthy reported to the Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) in Bridgeport, California, where he served as the installation S-4 Logistics Officer and lead Logistics Combat Element Instructor. In 2019, he also assumed command of the Combat Service Support Company. He planned and instructed twelve Mountain Exercises during his time at the MCMWTC. 

 

From July 2021 to May 2023, Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy served as Deputy Assitant Chief of Staff G-4, 1st Marine Division, in Camp Pendleton, California. During this tour he supported four large-scale exercises, Force Design implementation, and the sustainment of the Division’s 26 subordinate commands.

 

Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program and Air Command and Staff College. He holds a Master's Degree in Military Art and Science.

 

Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy's decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.

 

He is married to Jenna McCarthy, and they have one dog, Slainte.

1st Marine Logistics Group