Lt. Col. Bryan Whittier is a native of Scottsdale, Arizona and commissioned as an aviation officer from Norwich University in June 2003. Upon graduation from the Aviation Officer Basic Course and UH-60 Aircraft Qualification Course, Whittier was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from 2004 until 2008. During this period, he served in 4th Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation officer and battalion adjutant. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 until September 2006 as a platoon leader.
Upon completion of the Aviation Captain’s Career Course, Whittier returned to 4th Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade and served as an assistant S3, assault company commander and rear detachment commander from August 2008 until May 2012. While commanding Alpha Company, he deployed to Afghanistan from January to December 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2012, Whittier reported to Washington D.C. and served four years as a Congressional Fellow. After earning a master’s Brigade as an assistant S4, platoon leader, company executive
degree of Professional Studies in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University in 2013, he served one year as the Military Fellow for Congressman John Carter (R-TX) in the United States House of Representatives, followed by two years assigned to the Secretary of the Army’s staff as a Congressional Liaison with duty in the Army’s House Liaison Division on Capitol Hill.
After graduating the Command and General Staff College in 2016, Whittier served one year as the 2nd Cavalry Regimental Aviation Officer in Vilseck, Germany. He was assigned to 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in 2017 and served two years as the 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer in Wiesbaden, Germany. In 2019, Whittier served one year as the Military Deputy Director, Aviation Enablers- Requirements Determination Directorate of Army Futures Command and then assuming command of 1-11th Aviation Regiment on July 8, 2020, at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Air Medal (Numeral 4), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 OLC) and the NATO Medal. He has been awarded the Combat Action Badge, Army Senior Aviator Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.