Local man earns Coast Guard honors

Flotilla 53, Depoe Bay, Oregon - Second Class Boatswain's Mate Brandon O'Brien of Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay was named Sailor of the Quarter for the third quarter (April, May, June) of 2013. O'Brien was selected for this honor by his fellow shipmates at the Coast Guard station located in the town of Depoe Bay on the Central Oregon coast.

In addition to receiving a letter of commendation from the station officer in charge, he was presented with a unit challenge coin, received special liberty, had his name engraved on a plaque in the station, and was assigned his own parking spot at the station for the quarter.

Brandon is a 2005 graduate of Sisters High School, and has been in the Coast Guard since January of 2008. After graduating from high school he attended Southwest Oregon Community College in Coos Bay on a wrestling scholarship where he received his associate of arts degree in 2007. After receiving his AA degree Brandon worked in the construction industry in Bend prior to joining the Coast Guard.

After graduating from boot camp O'Brien was assigned to Coast Guard Station Harbor Beach, Michigan, where he became qualified as a crew member on the 25-ft. Response Boat Small (RBS). He also qualified as a boarding team member working in law enforcement.

He left CG Station Harbor Beach in 2009 for Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in Washington where he served until 2012. While at Station Quillayute River he became qualified as a 47-ft. motor lifeboat coxswain, and boarding officer. He participated in numerous search-and-rescue missions, and was also the Petty Officer in charge on the deck department.

In July 2012, O'Brien reported to Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay, where he is currently the Petty Officer in charge of military housing. He is working on becoming qualified as a heavy-weather coxswain, and then becoming qualified as a surfman; the highest qualification for small boat drivers in the Coast Guard. He is also qualified as an Officer of the Day (OOD), and often stands OOD duty during a 24-hour shift at the station. He continues to participate in search-and-rescue missions, and participates in law enforcement activities as the boarding officer in charge of a boarding team.

Brandon and his wife, Misty, live in Depoe Bay with their daughter, Tearza. They both are from Sisters, and both graduated from Sisters High School.

O'Brien plans to make a career of the Coast Guard, and eventually retire as a Master Chief. His short-term goals are to be promoted to First Class Boatswain's Mate, and qualify as a surfman. He also plans to continue his education and obtain his bachelor's degree.