Commander Darrell Brown joined the Navy through the Nuclear Prospective Officer Candidate program. Following commissioning in April 2001 he attended Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Power Prototype training in Charleston, South Carolina.
At sea, he served on USS Buffalo (SSN 715) as a Junior Officer, USS Annapolis (SSN 760) as Engineer Officer, and USS Maine (SSBN 741)(BLUE and GOLD) and USS Ohio (SSGN 726)(GOLD) as Executive Officer. He relieved as Commanding Officer USS MARYLAND (SSBN 738)(BLUE) on 6 March, 2020.
His shore assignments include duty as a Shift Engineer/Staff Training Group Officer at Nuclear Power Plant Unit (MARF) – Ballston Spa, New York; Deputy Officer in Charge CTF 54 Detachment Bahrain/Operations Officer Submarine Squadron TWENTY ONE – Manama, Bahrain; and Deputy Director of Operations for CTF-69 – Naples, Italy. He studied at Colorado Mesa University earning a Bachelor of Science, Physics; Master of Arts, Engineering Management from Old Dominion University; and Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies From the U.S. Naval War College. Additionally, while studying at the Naval War College, he was a member of the Halsey CHARLIE Advanced Research Group supporting efforts in ballistic missile defense and undersea warfare.
He served on teams that have been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and the RADM Simms leadership Award.
Commander Brown is a Native to Southern California, married to the former Jessica Snider of Niskayuna, New York, and proud father of four children; Temperance, Constance, Patience, and Atlas.