Chief Executive Officer
Col, USMC (Ret)
"Our vision for WQW."
After 26 years in the Marines, Brian left his active duty role as Chief of Staff of the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) in 2020 to serve veterans in a new way: by leading WQWF.
Brian’s background uniquely qualifies him to evolve WQWF’s impact. It starts with his generational roots in Butte, Montana—a hard-rock mining town chiseled into the mountains by a relentless work ethic.
Throughout his military career, Brian has served by the General Jim Mattis quote, “The privilege of command is command.” With this mindset, he commanded up to 500 Marines at the platoon, company, battalion, and regimental level, led four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and served in roles ranging from Commanding Officer of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion to Senior Program Manager for Ground Reconnaissance Capabilities at Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. Working at the Pentagon as the Director of National Organizations & Interagency Collaboration, Brian sparked a new passion for advocating for transitioning service members.
An avid outdoorsman, devoted husband, and proud father, Brian finds peace in the solace of nature, meaning in his wife and two sons, and purpose in equipping fellow veterans to discover their own peace, meaning, and purpose.
WQW YouTube – "Meet Brian Gilman, CEO of WQWW, MARSOC and Recon Marine Veteran"
The Veteran Made podcast: "Warriors & Quiet Waters with Brian Gilman"
Cleared Hot podcast - "Ep 201: Brian Gilman and Casey Woods"
MTNTough podcast - "Brian Gilman - CEO of WQW and 27 year Marine Recon Veteran"
Good Morning America - "Foundation helps female veterans transition back into civilian life"
Only the Strong Survive podcast - "Brian Gilman with Warriors and Quiet Waters"