Brandon Dodson was born in Lemoore, California, and he attended Recruit Training in July 2003 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, CA.

Following completion of Recruit Training, Brandon attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, where he learned the skills necessary to become a basic Infantryman. Soon, he was promoted to Lance Corporal and onMay 27, 2004, he conducted his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Rifleman/Saw Gunner. After returning home and acting as a Team Leader for Weapons Platoon, Assault Section, he gained further experience as a Squad Leader for a Mobile Assault Platoon, deploying to Al Qaim, Iraq, from March to November 2007. Brandon was promoted in country on June 1, 2007, to the rank of Sergeant.

Following promotion, Brandon transferred to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. He deployed from March to September 2012, to Sangin, Afghanistan, as a Squad Leader. He served as Platoon Sergeant for no less than 40 Marine role players and 500 civilian role players, working in support of the Integrated Training Exercise (ITX).

On March 1, 2014, Brandon deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. While on patrol, he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Following his injury, Brandon was transferred to Walter Reed National Medical Center, and attached to Wounded Warrior Battalion, Walter Reed Detachment, where he medically retired on September 9, 2016. He currently resides in San Diego, CA.

His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy Achievement medal, and Combat Action Ribbon as well as numerous unit and service awards.

Quote: “The Gary Sinise Foundation is the best around. From the people they employ to the results they get, and everything in between. I love GSF for what they stand for and what results they actually produce. They have never let me down.”

- Brandon Dodson