Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Briggs is from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and enlisted in the Army in 2004 as an 11B infantryman. He completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Command Sgt. Maj. Briggs’ first duty assignment was E Company (Airborne) (Long Range Surveillance), 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion, at Camp Hovey, South Korea, where he served as assistant radio telephone operator and senior scout.
He was later assigned to F Company, 51st Infantry Regiment (LRS)(Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as senior scout and LRS team leader.
In September 2009, Briggs moved to Fort Drum, New York, where he served as a weapons squad leader, platoon sergeant, and Security Force Advise and Assist Team noncommissioned officer in charge. He deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In April 2014, he was assigned as an observer coach/trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he served as the company NCOIC for two years before moving to 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, as an opposing force platoon sergeant.
In May 2017, Briggs moved to Fort Meade, Maryland, on assignment to the Asymmetric Warfare Group. While assigned to AWG, he attended the Operational Advisor Training Course and served as an operational advisor and troop sergeant major. He deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Resolute Support.
In February 2020, Briggs returned to Fort Bragg and was assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, where he deployed to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In May 2021, he assumed responsibility of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment.
His military training includes Airborne School, Air Assault School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, SERE School, Heavy Weapons Leader Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Anti-Terrorism Evasive Driving Course, JRTC Observer/Controller Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, and Senior Leader Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation with four oak leaf clusters, Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
Briggs is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 74.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Scranton.
He is joined in Italy by his 13-year-old son, Nicholas Brandon Briggs.