LTC Brian W. Bassett enlisted into the United States Army in 1986, and served with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea and the 194th Separate Armored Brigade, Fort Knox, Kentucky. He received his commission from the Officer Candidate School in 1991. After completing the Armor Officer Basic Course, he served in various positions with the 3rd Infantry Division, Germany. Those positions included: Platoon Leader, 3rd Battalion, 64th Armor; Battalion S3, 3rd Forward Support Battalion; and Aide-De-Camp for the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver). Upon completion of the Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course in 1996, LTC Bassett was assigned to Fort Bragg where he served as Operations Officer, XVIII Airborne Corps and Company Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Following his assignment to Fort Bragg, LTC Bassett earned a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of North Carolina – Pembroke in 2000 through the degree completion program. From 2000-2002, LTC Bassett commanded the Tempe Recruiting Company, Phoenix Recruiting Battalion. He then served in the United States Army Recruiting CommandŐs Inspector General Office as an Inspection Team Chief. During that assignment LTC Bassett deployed to Iraq in 2003 to serve as an Operations Officer for the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) developing the plans to rebuild the Iraqi Army. Upon his return to the United States, LTC Bassett attended Command and General Staff College (2004-2005) where he also earned a Masters in Business Administration. From 2005-2006, he served as the Brigade S4, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq. Following his tour to Iraq, LTC Bassett served as the Executive Officer, Nashville Recruiting Battalion. In March 2008, LTC Bassett was reassigned to the 2nd Recruiting Brigade where he served as the Brigade S3 until his assignment to the 3rd Recruiting Brigade in August 2009.
LTC BassettŐs military awards and decorations include Bronze Star Medals(1 OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC); Army Commendation Medals (4 OLC); the Army Superior Unit Award; the Army Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Iraq Service Campaign Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Korean Defense Service Medal; the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; the Army Service Ribbon; three Overseas Ribbons; the Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist's Badge; Air Assault Badge, Rigger Badge; and the Basic Recruiter Badge.