LtCol Bryant was born and raised in Texas and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2005 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. After being designated a Naval Aviator in 2007 and completing CH-53E flight training at HMHT-302 at MCAS New River, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii to fly the venerable CH-53D Sea Stallion.
While assigned to HMH-463 in Kaneohe Bay, HI, LtCol Bryant completed two deployments to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and participated in multiple service level exercises in the Pacific while serving in various billets in the Administrative, Maintenance, and Operations Departments. During this tour, LtCol Bryant also graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and completed conversion training to the CH-53E Super Stallion.
In 2013, LtCol Bryant reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) and served as a CH-53E Instructor, training and certifying CH-53E Weapons and Tactics Instructors and Night Systems Instructors for the Marine Corps. LtCol Bryant also served as the subject matter expert for Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, Assault Support Evasive Maneuvers, and CH-53 Ground Threat Reaction.
In 2016, LtCol Bryant received orders to MAG-29 at MCAS New River, NC. While on the MAG-29 staff, LtCol Bryant deployed to Moron AB, Spain as the Future Operations Officer for Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Africa 17.2 and conducted training and contingency operations with European allies and special operations forces in Europe and Africa. Upon returning, LtCol Bryant served as the Operations Officer for HMH-366 where the squadron deployed on the USS Iwo Jima to Iceland and Norway in support of Trident Juncture 2018, the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War. As a result of these efforts, HMH-366 received the coveted McCutcheon Award as the Marine Corps HMH of the Year in 2018.
LtCol Bryant reported to Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation in 2019 to serve as the Heavy Lift Platform Lead on the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Aviation’s (DCA) staff. During this tour, he served as the principal advisor to DCA regarding CH-53E sustainment, CH-53K acquisition, and future Heavy Lift helicopter capabilities. LtCol Bryant held this position for 27 months during which he was promoted to his current rank and selected for command.
LtCol Bryant took command of HMH-462 in December 2021. While in command, HMH-462 deployed in support of UDP 23.2 and 31st MEU 23.2 to Okinawa, Japan. While deployed, the squadron supported exercises and operations throughout the INDOPACOM AOR including mainland Japan, Republic of South Korea, The Philippines, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. As a result, the squadron was awarded 3rd MAW HMH of the Year for 2023.
LtCol Bryant assumed his current position as MAG-16 Executive Officer in February 2024. In his career, he has amassed over 2600 flight hours, primarily in the CH-53D/E, including 650 combat flight hours, and held every instructor qualification and flight leadership designation in the CH-53. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Air Medal with 12 strike/flight awards, the Navy Commendation Medal with four gold stars and Navy and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.