Bryan enlisted in the Army Reserves following high school graduation in 1999. After completing training for the 68x MOS, Apache helicopter electrical and armament systems, he returned to his Reserve duty station in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Despite being disillusioned by the Reserve system and its readiness, his unit (8/229 Aviation Regiment) deployed under the 42nd Infantry Division in 2004. The deployment in support of O.I.F. III shed light on the operational function of the unit and its corresponding companies, but the experience also challenged him to rethink the purposes and motives for war. In 2007 Bryan completed his visual arts and arts education degree at Bellarmine University and served out his time in the military. Following a 2008 attempt to start a chapter in Louisville, Kentucky, Bryan teamed up with a local VVAW member as well as the Southeast Regional IVAW Coordinator in 2009 to ultimately form the 62nd chapter covering Louisville and greater Kentucky. His decision to run for a seat on the board of directors was predicated on the belief that every capable chapter president should run for a leadership position. It was also a personal challenge to become more active in this specific struggle. Bryan is the member of several education groups seeking a system beyond reform and anticipates serving the members of IVAW during his term.
