I joined the missile community in 2024 as a Security Forces Defender at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Like every Defender, I was focused on the mission — protecting America’s most lethal weapons and standing long shifts at remote ICBM facilities.
DIAGNOSIS
It was during one of those tours that I first noticed a lump on my neck and pain in my hip. This is how many, many ICBM community members learn that they have non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It was day one of an eight-day tour in the field. I notified leadership, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. By the next week, I was sitting in a base clinic, then at the local hospital. Two doctors told me it was just a swollen lymph node. They were wrong.
A fine needle aspiration (small needle biopsy) revealed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). At least that’s what I was told. Another biopsy was attempted, botched, and gave no answers. A month went by without progress. Meanwhile, the pain in my hip grew worse. I was losing time, and the cancer was spreading through my body.
That’s when I was sent to Seattle, to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, not far from where I grew up in Washington, one of the best Cancer Centers in the world. There, I finally received the truth: it wasn’t Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. It was Burkitt lymphoma — the most aggressive form of cancer you can get. In a single phone call, everything changed.
The cancer wasn’t just in my neck. It was also in my hip, back, and chest. The hip pain I thought was from working out was actually cancer eating away at my body. What began as a small lump had become Stage 4 lymphoma. This cancer can develop very rapidly in personnel who are immunosuppressed due to exposures to potent carcinogens like benzene in contaminated water or diesel exhaust.
Treatment started quickly at Fred Hutch. Chemotherapy became my reality — round after round. In September of 2025, I finished my final treatment cycle. I’m still on active duty, living in Washington for recovery, preparing to return to Montana and the missile field.
But here’s the truth I need leaders to understand about ICBM community health: the hazards in our community are not fully understood. We need to fully understand the environmental risks in the entire missile complex — Missile Alert Facilities, Launch Facilities, and the topside environment where Defenders work every day. We need to know how far toxins like PCBs, asbestos, contaminated air, and water reach in our operational environment, and we need answers now.
Action is needed now. Not another study. Not another year of delay. Both the Air Force and the state of Montana must take immediate steps to ensure every Defender, every missileer, every maintainer, every facility manager, and support personnel can serve without paying with their health. These exposures are preventable.
To my fellow Defenders: learn from my story. If you notice something, speak up — and keep speaking up until someone takes it seriously. It doesn’t matter if you’re an A1C or a Colonel. Speak up! I let doctors tell me it was “nothing” for weeks, and in that time, my cancer advanced to Stage 4. Don’t let them tell you “you’re young and healthy”.
Don’t wait. Don’t minimize. Demand answers. Be a relentless advocate for your health and for your Airmen’s health.
Assume the best, but prepare for the worst. Your health is part of the mission. A ready and lethal crew force starts with a healthy one.
I have successfully completed treatment. I am ready to return to Montana, to put the uniform back on, and to get back to defending our nation. But I’ll do it with a new awareness — one forged in chemo chairs and hospital rooms — that our mission isn’t just about protecting nuclear weapons. It’s about defending the Defenders themselves.
Thank you for your story and your bravery in battling cancer and fighting for your fellow Defenders and Airmen! We all stand united with you!
I love you and I’m so beyond proud of you Bren. You’re my warrior and I’m so excited to live in this new chapter of healing with you.
I love you and I’m so beyond proud of you Bren! I can’t wait to live this next chapter of healing with you
You’re stronger than cancer, you proved it. What you went through so devastatingly needs to open up eyes to what happened to you, to airmen before you and to airmen to come. Don’t lose strength and don’t lose hope. I love you
Brendan – First, thank you for your service and I am sorry it has caused so much pain in your young life.
You keep talking to the military about this until they are tired of hearing it. Serving should not result in an encounter with this terrible disease.
God speed your recovery and a long remission 🙏
Brendan- Thank you for sharing your story and for advocating so strongly for your fellow airmen. May God be with you and continue to bless you always. Praying for your continued healing and strength.
Thank for sharing your story so boldly. I’m so proud of you for the fight you put up and for your commitment to our nation. God bless you!
Thank you for telling your story. I pray you are healed and will live a long healthy life. I also pray that sharing your story will help bring attention to this problem for those who are serving in dangerous environments. Thank you for your service sir.❤️
Brenden, Thank you for your service. Your willingness to fight for, and insist on change even as you return to active duty is courageous. Praying for your continued healing and health. L May you have a long life and much joy in the future!
Brendan-This is a courageous story. Thank you so much for sharing it and thank you for your service to this country. I will continue to pray for you and share your story with others. With all my love.
You are in our prayers! God be with you and strengthen your faith, helping you through this.
Brendan-It’s a true honor to call you family. The courage and fight you’ve displayed during this battle is an inspiration to many. Those amazing qualities also make you an extraordinary soldier, protecting this country. God bless you. Continue to fight the good fight.
Thank you for sharing your story. So well written. It will matter!! Hi Best wishes for continued recovery.
Brendan, I’m glad I came across your article and read how you’ve battled thru this like a true warrior that I know you are! Sorry I missed you when you were home. I think about you often and keep you in each prayer! I’m glad you’re doing better and back to doing what you love so much. I’ve been there and that’s why I’m so proud of you! You know I love you brother, take care and be safe! Hopefully see you when you’re home next time!
Brendan, watching you navigate your diagnosis and treatment with courage and dignity has been incredibly humbling. I know sharing such a difficult and private story can’t be easy, but I am confident it will serve to raise critical awareness and bring about positive change. Who knew protecting your fellow Airmen and American citizens in this way was part of your story? May God continue to bless you and make your mission abundantly clear to you as you heal. I am so proud of you always!
Grandpa Gene I know it was a tough fight, but if anyone could do it,you could. Proud to be a Grandpa of such a courageous young airman. The future looks bright for you and your buddies. Thanks for sharing a well ending story.
Thank you for your service, Brendan, and God Bless you for sharing your story!!
God bless you Brendan for your fight against such a virulent disease, for your concern regarding the health of fellow soldiers past, present and future and for your commitment to serve our country.You are a tribute to your generation! Love and continued prayers.