Captain Brendan Burks is a native of Auburn, Alabama and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1992. Upon graduation, Brendan enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and reported for training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing training at the School of Infantry in Jacksonville, North Carolina, he reported to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment (L Co. 3/23), 4th Marine Division in Montgomery, Alabama where he served as a 60mm mortar man. While serving in the reserves, Brendan attended Auburn University where he participated in student government and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science in 1998.

Brendan was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) program and reported to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia in 1999. Upon completion, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida to begin his primary flight training in the T-34 Turbo Mentor. In November 2000, Brendan reported to Training Squadron 35 (VT-35) at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, to fly the TC-12 Huron. He received his wings of gold in July 2001.

In August 2001, Brendan reported to Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Training Squadron 253 (VMGRT-253) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, to begin training in the KC-130. While at VMGRT-253, Brendan served as the Legal Officer and Adjutant. He then reported to his first fleet squadron, Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron (VMGR-152), the "Sumos" at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan in June 2003. While with the "Sumos," Brendan served as a Logistics Officer, Flight Duty Officer and deployed as an Individual Augment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) Coordination Element, Kuwait Air Officer. His next assignment came in November 2005, as a staff member for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) KC-130J Fleet Introduction Team (JFIT).

Following his first fleet tour, Brendan reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, Virginia, for Professional Military Education (PME) in August 2006. Upon completion, he served as an Augment Academic Instructor at the Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia.

During his time in the fleet, Brendan flew in support of numerous operations and exercises in Portugal, Iceland, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, Iwo Jima, Wake Island, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Brendan joined the Blue Angels in September 2007. He has accumulated more than 1,200 flight hours. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various personal and unit awards.