At the age of 18, two years after the attacks on September 11, 2001, Brandon followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the United States Marine Corps. He served through five combat deployments, held a high-ranking position, and achieved many great accomplishments with his platoon all while keeping their safety his top priority.

On August 9, 2014, during his fifth deployment, Brandon and his platoon were on a mission in a small village when he stepped on a hidden pressure plated improvised explosive device (IED). Brandon remembers opening his eyes to chaos around him. His first instinct was to take care of his men, until he realized he was the one in need of care. Brandon suffered catastrophic injuries from the blast, with both legs amputated above the knee.

Brandon spent months at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he underwent multiple surgeries. For his bravery in the line of duty, he received the Purple Heart, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. For two years, he lived in a small apartment at Walter Reed, far from his family in San Diego, until he medically retired in 2016. His goal was always to return to California so he could reclaim his independence near his loved ones.