Brandon Cordill
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps
Slot, U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Brandon Cordill is a native of Hemet, CA, and graduated from Hemet High School in 1998, where he played AAA ice hockey for the San Diego Jr. Gulls. He attended Parks College of Saint Louis University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science in 2002.

Brandon received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps after completion of Officer Candidate School and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, in January 2004. He reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL, for aviation indoctrination in July 2004. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Whiting Field, FL, and transferred to NAS Kingsville, TX, for advanced flight training in the T-45A Goshawk. He received his wings of gold in June 2006.

Cordill then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), the "Gladiators," at NAS Oceana, VA, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In July 2007, he reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122), the "Werewolves," at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC, where he served as the Classified Material Control Officer, Squadron Mess Officer, Powerline Division Officer, Airframes Division Officer, Ground Safety Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer (NATOPS), Flight Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. While assigned to VMFA-122, Brandon deployed to Iraq and flew in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He then reported to the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), at NAS Fallon, NV, and graduated in March 2010. Brandon again deployed with the "Werewolves" to Afghanistan in November 2010, where he flew in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron earned the 2009 Robert M. Hanson Award as the Marine Corps Association’s Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year.

Captain Cordill joined the Blue Angels in September 2011 and served as the Left Wing in 2012 and as the Slot pilot in 2013. He has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours.

His decorations include eight Strike Flight Air Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.