Biography

Sergeant Major Brian Priester was born in Detroit, Michigan. He enlisted in the Marine Corps 4 August 1992 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego with Platoon 3061.  Upon Completion of recruit training, Private First Class Priester attended Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California.

Private First Class Priester then attended initial MOS training at the Basic Field Radio Operator’s Course Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California.  Private First Class Priester’s first fleet assignment was in February 1993 with Alpha Company, 7th Communication Battalion, 3D Surveillance Reconnaissance Intelligence Group, III MEF, Okinawa, Japan.  He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in February 1993. Lance Corporal Priester was then assigned to III MEF Special Operations Training Group in April 1994 for duty as a Communications Instructor where he was promoted to Corporal in 1995. He later attended Fort Benning’s Basic Airborne Course. 

Corporal Priester was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 1996 and in April 1997 he received orders to the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Camp Geiger, North Carolina for duty as a Communications Chief and Instructor and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in June 1999. 

Staff Sergeant Priester was ordered to Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division in August 1999 where he served in multiple to include Motor Transport Chief, Cryptographic Chief, Assistant MUX Chief, Radio Supervisor and twice served as Company Gunnery Sergeant.  During the tour he also attended the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor and EKMS Course.  Promoted in December 2003 Gunnery Sergeant Priester assisted in the fielding of SMART-T s and served as an EHF Planner.  In addition, he completed an assignment with the Joint POW/MIA accounting command. 

Gunnery Sergeant Priester received orders in October 2005 to Combat Logistics Regiment-17, 1st MLG for duty as the Radio Platoon SNCOIC he later transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion-13, 13th MEU for duties as the Communications Chief and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

In February 2008 Gunnery Sergeant Priester was frocked to First Sergeant and received orders to 1st Radio Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as the First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company.  First Sergeant Priester later deployed with Alpha Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

First Sergeant Priester joined the Mighty 7th Communication Battalion in May 2010 and served as the Service Company First Sergeant and the Headquarters Company First Sergeant. 
In June 2013, First Sergeant Priester received orders to 1st Marine Division for his current assignment as the Battalion Sergeant Major, 1st Tank Battalion.

His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.