Chaplain Brandt began his military career in 1976, enlisting in the United States Air Force as a Dietary Technician right out of high school. After a spiritual conversion he exited active duty in 1980, joined the Air National Guard as an Air Force Cook and attended Bible College and Seminary in Denver, CO. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Chaplain Candidate, while attending Denver Seminary in 1988. He was called to active duty as an Army Chaplain in preparation for Desert Shield/Desert Storm in January of 1991 and served his first Chaplain assignment with the 17th Signal Battalion, Frankfurt Germany and Kitzingen, Germany (1991-1993). Other assignments include Chaplain Officer Advance Course, Fort Monmouth, NJ (1994); Battalion Chaplain 1-8 IN, 4ID, Fort Carson, CO; Brigade Chaplain 3rd BDE, 4ID, Fort Carson, CO (1994-1997); Clinical Pastoral Education, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX (1997-1998); Chief, Dept. of Ministry and Pastoral Care, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, KY (1998-2001); Chief of Plans, Training, Operations, and Resource Management, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), Fort Sam Houston, TX (2001-2003); Brigade Chaplain, 2BCT, 1ID, Schweinfurt, GE and Tikrit, Iraq (2003-2005); Family Life Chaplain, Schweinfurt, GE (2005); Garrison Chaplain, Ledward Brks, Schwienfurt, GE (2006), Director of Pastoral Care - United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB), Ft. Leavenworth, KS (2006-2008); Deputy MEDCOM Chaplain, Ft. Sam Houston, TX (2008-2010); Personnel Assignments Officer, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Pentagon, Washington, DC (2010-2013); Senior Military Corrections Complex and 15th MP BDE Chaplain as well as Director of Pastoral Care, USDB (2013-2014); Command Chaplain for the Western Regional Medical Command, JBLM, WA (2015); Command Chaplain for Regional Health Command Pacific (Provisional), JBLM, WA (2016); Command Chaplain for the Regional Health Command – Central at Ft. Sam Houston TX (2016-2018); He retired as the JBLM Garrison Chaplain, JBLM, WA (2018-2019).
Chaplain Brandt is endorsed by the Conservative Baptist Association of America (CBAmerica) and has 43 years of combined military service (AD AF, AFNG, Army Reserve, and AD Army), the last 32 as an Army Chaplain. He is currently serving as the Director of Chaplaincy for Venture Church Networks.
Chaplain Brandt’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6), Army Commendation Medal (2), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Force Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5), the Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.
Chaplain Brandt is married to the former Ms. Julie K. Widner and they have two daughters, Sarah (31) and Rebecca (28).
