*Article from Greet Battle Ground & Hockinson, June 2026*
Written by: Summer Sorensen, writer at summersorensen.com
Some people find their direction early. For Brian Murdock, it took a conversation with a recruiter to spark a journey that would span an 18-year Marine Corps career, a war, and two of the most storied aircraft in Marine aviation history.
A third-generation servicemember (his grandfather served in the Air Force, his stepfather in the Marines), Brian enlisted in 2002 at a crossroads between college and something more purposeful. The Marines won out, and he never looked back.
From the Harrier to the F-35
After boot camp in San Diego and aviation school in Pensacola, Brian specialized in airframes and hydraulics, keeping Harrier jets mission-ready. He deployed to Iraq from October 2004 to January 2005, where his aircraft played a direct role in supporting the assault on Fallujah, one of the war’s most intense engagements. Daily life meant frequent mortar attacks and the rebuilding of infrastructure from scratch, but Brian and his fellow Marines handled it together.
As his career evolved, so did the aircraft. Brian transitioned to the F-35 program, participating in early documentation and testing at Edwards Air Force Base, putting him at the cutting edge of military aviation.
He also served three years as a recruiter in Connecticut, a demanding role he approached with characteristic honesty: he encouraged his recruits to make informed decisions rather than succumbing to pressure to meet a quota.
Life back home
Brian retired after 18 years and found his footing in his native SW Washington, where he lives with his wife Bree and their blended family. He and his mom, Patty, run All Seal NW, an asphalt maintenance company based in Yacolt. When he’s not working with All Seal, you might find him restoring a muscle car (a family passion), out on the water with his Bayliner, or tending to the family’s livestock: pigs, cows, chickens, and turkeys raised the old-fashioned way.
His advice to anyone considering service? Talk to a veteran, not just a recruiter. Get the real story. Then go sign up. Brian, thank you for your service!
