Jason Brooks grew up in the city of Oxford, Michigan and upon graduation from high school enlisted into the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR). He attended Recruit Training at MCRD Parris Island, SC, Marine Combat Training and Organizational Automotive Mechanics School at Camp Lejeune, NC. After graduation from his PMOS school, Private First Class Brooks was discharged from active duty and joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve as part of Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 Detachment “B” at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mt Clemens, MI. Corporal Brooks returned to active service in January 2003 when Operation IRAQI FREEDOM commenced and provided organizational level motor transport maintenance support at MCAS New River, NC for a period of approximately eight months. He de-mobilized in August 2003 and was subsequently discharged from the SMCR in October 2003.
In September 2007, he reported to Officer Candidate Class at Quantico, VA and upon graduation accepted his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Following The Basic School and Aircraft Maintenance Officers course, he reported to MALS-11 and was assigned to the Ground Support Equipment division. After a brief stint as the Assistant GSE OIC, 2ndLt Brooks executed PCA orders to VMFA-323 where he assumed the duties of Material Control Officer. Throughout the next three years, he deployed with the “Death Rattlers” onboard the USS JOHN C STENNIS and USS RONALD REAGAN in support of Operations NEW DAWN, TOMODACHI and ENDURING FREEDOM. Upon returning from his last deployment with VMFA-323, Captain Brooks briefly served as the squadron’s AAMO before executing PCA orders to MALS-11 in December 2011.
While assigned to the MALS-11 “Devilfish”, Captain Brooks was the squadron’s Assistant Operations/Training Officer focusing primarily on ground training, deployment and motorcycle readiness. He was then transferred to the 3d MAW Aviation Logistics Department in July 2012, where he briefly worked as the Fixed-Wing Class Desk Officer before being permanently assigned the billet of ALD Plans Officer. During his time in the billet, Captain Brooks had the distinct pleasure of planning, organizing and then deploying with the 3d MAW’s composite MALS, MALS-70 “Jackals”, in support of Marine Aircraft Group Afghanistan operations at Camp Bastion/Leatherneck.
After returning from Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in August 2014, Captain Brooks executed orders to Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments at Quantico, VA and was assigned as the Aviation Unit Head where he served for two years before transferring to the Enlisted Retention section. While serving as the FTAP/STAP Officer, he was selected for the rank of major and received orders to serve in a joint billet with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Ft Belvoir, VA. While assigned to DTRA, Major Brooks served in both the J2 and J7 departments working primarily the Counter small UAS problem set and deployed as an augment to the NATO Special Operation Combatant Command Afghanistan where he served as the J34 Force Protection and Counter Improvised Threat Officer.
Major Brooks reported to MALS-11 in July 2020 and is currently serving as the squadron’s Executive Officer.
Major Brooks’ personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with “C” device, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star. He is married to Abigail Taylor from Schenectady, NY.