Brian Garcia (He/Him)

U.S. Army veteran Brian Garcia has dedicated his life in service to his community and country. His military service, educational pursuits, and community involvement all center around a core value to give back to the men and women upon whose shoulders he stands. For him, the fight to support veterans is ongoing, and he is passionate about contributing to it in a meaningful way. 

Brian served as a Field Artillery Officer from 2009-2013 at Fort Carson, CO. In 2011, he deployed to Kandahar City, Afghanistan, with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, he was embedded with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF), serving as a liaison officer coordinating joint missions between special operations and conventional forces. Later, he served as Targeting Officer for 385th Military Police Battalion identifying and arresting dangerous criminals in Kandahar City. He was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service for his actions during this deployment.

After leaving the military, Brian sought to continue his service closer to home in Michigan, where he grew up. He worked as Program Coordinator for Racquet Up Detroit, an after-school educational and fitness organization. He also worked for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s office, where he helped to streamline local business licensing procedures.

Brian earned his Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and Ford School of Public Policy. Since graduation, he has worked for some of the largest technology firms in the nation, helping businesses reach their full potential through advanced tools and technology. He serves as a Territory Account Manager for Amazon Web Services. 

Brian has been a member of Common Defense since January 2021. He has supported lobbying efforts to end the war in Afghanistan and has been a recurring guest on ARD German Radio in Washington, D.C., covering the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He is passionate about supporting the veteran community, frequently gives talks on veteran suicide, works to increase veteran representation in the civilian workforce, and mentors his fellow veterans on graduate school applications and career transitions. He currently lives in New York City with his fiancée and their two pets.