Kenneth J. Brown, Colonel, USMC (Retired)
31081 Via Solana ∙ San Juan Capistrano ∙ California ∙ 92675 ∙ 949-240-4794 ∙ kjbrown70@cox.net
IN THE BEGINNING
Born in 1945 to a U.S. Marine Tech Sgt and his lovely bride from Wyoming at Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina. Raised in Santa Ana, California, spending much of my growing up years surfing & skiing. Graduated with a BA in Mathematics from California State University,
Fullerton, CA in 1968. [draft status 1-A]
North Carolina. Raised in Santa Ana, California, spending much of my growing up years surfing & skiing. Graduated with a BA in Mathematics from California State University,
Fullerton, CA in 1968. [draft status 1-A]
USMC EXPERIENCE – October 1968 – May 1995
Officer Candidate School & The Basic School October 1968 – June 1969
OCS – Foxtrot Company - fell in love with the hill trail…first indication that I had drank the cool-aid.
TBS – 1st Platoon – beginning lessons on the awesome responsibilities and honor of leading Marines.
Bill Connor, Al Jordano, Ken Brown, Bill Connors - Ready to party at Mess Night – Feb 1969
The Lieutenant Years (post-TBS) July 1969 – June 1972
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) – Marine Air Command & Control (7208)
Ordered from TBS to Marine Air Support Squadron 5 (MASS-5), Marine Corps Air Station,
El Toro, CA (sadly one of the “base closure” casualties in 1999). Accepted augmentation from Reserve to Regular Marine Corps in December 1969. Pre-deployment training and volunteered to go to Vietnam...all volunteers were graciously accepted by those wise men at HQMC. Promoted to 1st Lt…hard telling why? Oh yea, USMC Lt’s had a very high causality rate in the war zone…so there were openings.
El Toro, CA (sadly one of the “base closure” casualties in 1999). Accepted augmentation from Reserve to Regular Marine Corps in December 1969. Pre-deployment training and volunteered to go to Vietnam...all volunteers were graciously accepted by those wise men at HQMC. Promoted to 1st Lt…hard telling why? Oh yea, USMC Lt’s had a very high causality rate in the war zone…so there were openings.
Deployed to Vietnam in February 1970 and joined Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3) in
DaNnang, South Vietnam. Served as both an Air Controller in the Danang Airborne Direct
Air Support Center (Airborne) and as an Air Strike Control Officer for one of 5 Air Support
Radar Teams. Served in out of the way places (not tourist “hot spots”) such as Danang,
Quang Tri, Birmingham Fire Support site, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh. Yea, Marines went back
out to Khe Sanh in January – April 1971 (Operation Lam Son 719 – the Laos invasion)
where Marines of MASS-3 deployed an Air Support Radar Team.
DaNnang, South Vietnam. Served as both an Air Controller in the Danang Airborne Direct
Air Support Center (Airborne) and as an Air Strike Control Officer for one of 5 Air Support
Radar Teams. Served in out of the way places (not tourist “hot spots”) such as Danang,
Quang Tri, Birmingham Fire Support site, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh. Yea, Marines went back
out to Khe Sanh in January – April 1971 (Operation Lam Son 719 – the Laos invasion)
where Marines of MASS-3 deployed an Air Support Radar Team.
Kenneth J. Brown, Colonel, USMC (Retired) – page 2
The Marine Corps began pulling out of Vietnam in the spring of 1971 and I returned to
MCAS El Toro with MASS-3 in June 1971. Transferred to Marine Corps Tactical Systems
Support Activity (MCTSSA), located at MCAS Tustin, CA (helo air station) as a Marine Air
Command & Control Officer to support test & evaluation of new tactical air command &
control systems.
MCAS El Toro with MASS-3 in June 1971. Transferred to Marine Corps Tactical Systems
Support Activity (MCTSSA), located at MCAS Tustin, CA (helo air station) as a Marine Air
Command & Control Officer to support test & evaluation of new tactical air command &
control systems.
It wasn’t all work and no play…I fell in love with a beautiful young lady, Susan Batiuk,
and we married on May 27, 1972 at the USMC chapel at MCAS Tustin (next to one of
the Lighter Than Air blimp hangers) and our reception was at the Officers Club.
One heck of a party, sorry you all missed it.
and we married on May 27, 1972 at the USMC chapel at MCAS Tustin (next to one of
the Lighter Than Air blimp hangers) and our reception was at the Officers Club.
One heck of a party, sorry you all missed it.
The Captain Years July 1972 – 1979
It’s a well known fact that this is the best officer rank in the Marine Corps and I was lucky
enough to spend more than 6 years as a Captain. Promoted in July 1972 by Colonel Jolly
at MCTSSA.
enough to spend more than 6 years as a Captain. Promoted in July 1972 by Colonel Jolly
at MCTSSA.
After MCTSSA, I was selected in 1975 to attend Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA…yep,
another hardship tour. Graduated in March 1977 with a Masters in Computer Science.
On the personal side of this story, by this time we had two beautiful daughters, Jennifer was
4 years old and Cheri was 2 years old.
another hardship tour. Graduated in March 1977 with a Masters in Computer Science.
On the personal side of this story, by this time we had two beautiful daughters, Jennifer was
4 years old and Cheri was 2 years old.
Following school, sent to an overseas tour, initially in Okinawa and then served as the
office-in-charge of a training detachment for an Air Support Radar Team in Cubi Point,
Republic of the Philippines…for those that know, Cubi Point and Subic Bay were places
where you want to be sure all your shots were up to date.
office-in-charge of a training detachment for an Air Support Radar Team in Cubi Point,
Republic of the Philippines…for those that know, Cubi Point and Subic Bay were places
where you want to be sure all your shots were up to date.
The Major Years 1979 – September 1984
In March 1978, transferred to Installation and Logistics Department, Headquarters Marine Corps
for my “pay back” tour for my masters degree. There’s a reason it’s called “pay back,” let’s just
say that HQMC was my least favorite tour during my career. Although I did get promoted to
major in 1979, so it wasn’t all bad. We also added a son, Joseph, to our happy home in July
1982. That was about the time I was transferred to Marine Corps Command & Staff College
in Quantico, VA…back to my OCS/TBS roots.
for my “pay back” tour for my masters degree. There’s a reason it’s called “pay back,” let’s just
say that HQMC was my least favorite tour during my career. Although I did get promoted to
major in 1979, so it wasn’t all bad. We also added a son, Joseph, to our happy home in July
1982. That was about the time I was transferred to Marine Corps Command & Staff College
in Quantico, VA…back to my OCS/TBS roots.
That was a super year of education and camaraderie. The future Commandant of the Marine
Corps, Gen Conway, was the starting power forward on our over the hill championship basketball
team…my job as starting point guard was feed him the ball and needless to say I did that a lot.
Oh yea, Gen Tony Zinni (then a LtCol) was our “den daddy,” a wonderful year of learning
with my fellow field grade officers.
Corps, Gen Conway, was the starting power forward on our over the hill championship basketball
team…my job as starting point guard was feed him the ball and needless to say I did that a lot.
Oh yea, Gen Tony Zinni (then a LtCol) was our “den daddy,” a wonderful year of learning
with my fellow field grade officers.
Kenneth J. Brown, Colonel, USMC (Retired) – page 3
After graduating from Command & Staff in June 1983, received orders to return to the West Coast
and become the Executive Officer for MASS-3 in Camp Pendleton, CA.
and become the Executive Officer for MASS-3 in Camp Pendleton, CA.
The LtCol Years October 1984 – September 1990
I was promoted to Lt Col in October 1984. My wife, Susan and my Dad, Capt George H. Brown
(USMC Retired) did the “pinning” honors.
(USMC Retired) did the “pinning” honors.
In 1985, I was blessed with the honor of becoming the Commanding Officer of MASS-3,
placing the burden & joy of commanding 250 Marines squarely and willing on my shoulders.
There is no higher honor or more enjoyable duty than leading Marines and I was blessed to
lead some super Marines (are there any other kind?). Needless to say, it was one of my most
enjoyable tours of duty during my Marine Corps career.
placing the burden & joy of commanding 250 Marines squarely and willing on my shoulders.
There is no higher honor or more enjoyable duty than leading Marines and I was blessed to
lead some super Marines (are there any other kind?). Needless to say, it was one of my most
enjoyable tours of duty during my Marine Corps career.
LtCol Ken Brown, Commanding Officer, MASS-3, MACG-38, 3rd MAW
Wife – Susan Brown, at the MASS-3 Marine Birthday Ball, November 1986
Reluctantly, I gave up command of MASS-3 in the summer of 1987 and as again transferred
to Okinawa for an unaccompanied year tour. During that year, I served as the Operations
Officer for the Marine Air Control Group-18 (MACG-18), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
We had a number of interesting deployments, but the best (and longest) was to Pohang,
South Korea, for Team Spirit 88 during the winter of 1988. I was deployed as the
MACG-18 primary planner prior to the exercise and spent many winter months in Korea..
not a recommend vacation spot during the winter unless you enjoy cold and miserable
conditions ALL the time.
to Okinawa for an unaccompanied year tour. During that year, I served as the Operations
Officer for the Marine Air Control Group-18 (MACG-18), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
We had a number of interesting deployments, but the best (and longest) was to Pohang,
South Korea, for Team Spirit 88 during the winter of 1988. I was deployed as the
MACG-18 primary planner prior to the exercise and spent many winter months in Korea..
not a recommend vacation spot during the winter unless you enjoy cold and miserable
conditions ALL the time.
In the summer of 1988, I returned to my loving family and was ordered back to
MCTSSA in Camp Pendleton, serving as a Director of Director of Ground/Navigation
Systems Division.
MCTSSA in Camp Pendleton, serving as a Director of Director of Ground/Navigation
Systems Division.
Kenneth J. Brown, Colonel, USMC (Retired) – page 4
The Colonel Years October 1990 – May 1995
I was promoted to Colonel at MCTSSA in October 1990, you may recall that Desert Shield
was in full bloom about that time and MCTSSA was under orders to expedite fielding new
communications and information systems to support our Marines in the field.
was in full bloom about that time and MCTSSA was under orders to expedite fielding new
communications and information systems to support our Marines in the field.
In November 1990, I was given my 2nd opportunity to lead Marines as Commanding Officer
when I was given command of MCTSSA, about 200 Marines, 200 civil servants, and 200
contractors, over 600 Americans all motivated and focused on delivering critical new
technology and equipment to Marines in combat. By the time Desert Storm blasted
through the Iranian army in Kuwait, MCTSSA had delivered with outstanding results,
receiving the Meritorious Unit citation.
when I was given command of MCTSSA, about 200 Marines, 200 civil servants, and 200
contractors, over 600 Americans all motivated and focused on delivering critical new
technology and equipment to Marines in combat. By the time Desert Storm blasted
through the Iranian army in Kuwait, MCTSSA had delivered with outstanding results,
receiving the Meritorious Unit citation.
My lovely daughters USMC Ball 1991 & beautiful wife USMC Ball 1990
Whoever came up with the saying…”All good things come to an end” must have been
referring to the time we Marine officers had to give up our command. In this case,
my time came in July 1993 when I gave up command of MCTSSA and transferred
to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. There I served as Assistant Chief of Staff,
Communications and Information Systems, until my retirement in January 1995.
My actual retirement date was May 1, 1995, but I ended my active duty time earlier that year.
referring to the time we Marine officers had to give up our command. In this case,
my time came in July 1993 when I gave up command of MCTSSA and transferred
to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. There I served as Assistant Chief of Staff,
Communications and Information Systems, until my retirement in January 1995.
My actual retirement date was May 1, 1995, but I ended my active duty time earlier that year.
It was a super career and I miss my active duty friends and close relationship with Marines
almost every day. Since that time, I’ve had some success in the civilian world working in
a number of industries, such as small businesses, financial and power utilities.
Some have been very enjoyable and satisfying but they all pale in comparison to the
over 26 years I spent serving my country and doing what I loved as a United States Marine…
Let us always remember our Marines in harm’s way and those that have given the ultimate
sacrifice for Corps & Country.
almost every day. Since that time, I’ve had some success in the civilian world working in
a number of industries, such as small businesses, financial and power utilities.
Some have been very enjoyable and satisfying but they all pale in comparison to the
over 26 years I spent serving my country and doing what I loved as a United States Marine…
Let us always remember our Marines in harm’s way and those that have given the ultimate
sacrifice for Corps & Country.
Semper Fidelis and God Bless our Marines!
Joe, Ken, Susan, Jennifer, and Cheri Brown - August 2005
