Bryan McDonnel

In his two terms as USMCCCA Vice President, Major Bryan McDonnell rewrote the Association Bylaws and modernized them, managed the Associations relationship with HQMC, Communication Directorate, via a Memorandum of Understanding, and contributed toward the Association’s work regarding the Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards/Banquet twice.

McDonnell also wrote the correspondence that resulted in the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz attending as the VIEC Banquet guest of honor. McDonnell also generated a five-year strategy, tied to measurable active duty training standards, to seek out ways for the Association to fund additional training for members of the USMCCCA.

Major Bryan McDonnell enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 2005. Upon completion of Basic Training and Marine Combat Training, Maj. McDonnell reported to the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Maryland, where he completed the Basic Public Affairs Specialist - Writer and Broadcaster courses.

In November of 2006, Maj. McDonnell reported to American Forces Network, Iwakuni, Japan, where he served as a broadcaster and noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the radio department. In the spring of 2008, Maj. McDonnell attended the Intermediate Electronic Journalism course at the Defense Information School.

In January of 2009, Maj. McDonnell executed a permanent change of station to Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC), Quantico, Virginia, where he served as a combat correspondent and community relations chief. Maj. McDonnell’s other opportunities at MCRC included attending the Marking and Public Affairs Course for Marketing and Public Affairs Representatives and attending Resident Sergeants
Course. Maj. McDonnell also attended the Inter-service Non-lethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course, where he was selected as the Gung-Ho award recipient by his peers.

In November of 2011, Maj. McDonnell was accepted to the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning education Program. Maj. McDonnell attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in January of 2012. Following OCS, he attended the University of Maryland in College Park from August of 2012 to December of 2014, graduating with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. Upon completion of The Basic School in December of 2015, Maj. McDonnell attended the Public Affairs Qualification Course at the Defense Information School, receiving the Major Megan McClung Award for leadership.

Maj. McDonnell reporting to I MEF in March of 2016 and in May of 2017 Maj. McDonnell deployed with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 17.2 supporting U.S. Central Command.

In July of 2018 Maj. McDonnell reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, as the Director of Communication Strategy and Operations for MCRD Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region. In 2020, MCRD Parris Island COMMSTRAT was named COMMSTRAT Unit of the Year for 2019. In July of 2021 Maj. McDonnell reported to Expeditionary Warfare School and then reported to the Communication Directorate, HQMC, serving as the Deputy Branch Head, OccFld Support, Company Grade Occfld Specialist, and COMMSTRAT Doctrine and Policy primary. In June of 2025 Maj. McDonnell reported to Air Command and Staff College, and upon completion took his current position as the II MEF COMMSTRAT CE Research and Assessments Officer in Charge.