Lieutenant Colonel Brian K. Harwell
USMC (Retired)
Lieutenant Colonel Harwell was born in Modesto, CA and raised throughout his formative years in Brush Prairie, WA. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Washington (Seattle) and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in April of the same year.
In November 1996 Second Lieutenant Harwell reported to The Basic School in Quantico, VA and upon graduation, he attended the Infantry Officer Course with a military occupational specialty (MOS) designation of Rifle Platoon Commander.
Lieutenant Harwell attended the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ from September 1997 to February 1998, obtaining his primary MOS as a Ground Intelligence Officer.
In March 1998, Lieutenant Harwell forward deployed to Okinawa, Japan for a three-year tour involving assignments as Scout Platoon Commander, Assistant Intelligence Officer and Headquarters Company Commander for 4th Marine Regiment. Additionally during this time, he served as the primary Staff Intelligence Officer for 12th Marine Regiment and was promoted to the rank of captain.
Captain Harwell reported for duty to Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA in March 2001 where he served as the primary Instructor for Intelligence Operations, as well as Assistant Instructor for Marine Corps Staff Planning. During this time, he completed the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Intelligence Officer Course, in Damneck, VA and was awarded his career-designated MOS of MAGTF Intelligence Officer.
In September 2004, Captain Harwell reported for duty to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Miramar, CA. There, he completed two combat tours to Al Anbar, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II and Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. During these deployments, totaling one and a half years, he served as the Air Combat Intelligence Officer, as well as the Assistant Chief of Staff - Intelligence (Forward). During the last combat deployment, he was promoted to Major in April 2006.
Major Harwell attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Yuma, AZ in 2007 and assumed the duties of Intelligence Department Head for Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron – One in July 2007.
In July 2011 Major Harwell reported to the I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), Camp Pendleton, CA as the G-2 Targeting Officer. While in this billet, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan for one year and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Upon returning from deployment, he assumed the duties of G-2 Plans Officer, as well as the Assistant Chief of Staff – Intelligence for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
In August 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Harwell assumed the duties as Assistant Chief of Staff - Intelligence, Marine Forces United States Strategic Command in Omaha, NE. He served in this capacity until his retirement in November 2017, having faithfully served his country for 21 years.
Lieutenant Colonel Harwell’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal w/2 gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal w/1 gold star and the Navy Achievement Medal. He is married to the former Stephanie L. Handlos of Brush Prairie, WA. They have two children – a son, Ethan and daughter, Lindsay.