Fall Brigade Commander, MIDN Kellen Bynes
POSTED ON: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 9:00 AM by MC1 Sarah M. Thielen
Each academic semester, the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) selects a new midshipman to lead the Brigade of Midshipmen. For the fall 2025 semester, Midshipman 1st Class (senior) Kellen Bynes has been selected to serve in this distinguished role as the highest-ranking midshipman in the Brigade.
Leading more than 4,400 midshipmen, the brigade commander is responsible for maintaining the highest state of readiness and professionalism, ensuring brigade efficiency, addressing deficiencies to the Commandant of Midshipmen, and, when necessary, recommending corrective action, as outlined in USNA instruction.
A native of San Diego, Bynes grew up in a city often associated with Navy presence. Even so, without any direct family previously serving, a military academy wasn’t on his radar.
“I knew I wanted my next step to be a little more unique,” said Bynes. “I was looking into schools that valued leadership, and service academies kept popping up.”
Throughout middle school and high school, Bynes was involved on campus and a member of the student council. His experience working with staff members, teachers, and classmates to achieve a common goal made him wonder if there were schools focused on his same values. He remembers seeing the application for USNA and knew he needed to try.
“That process excited me. There’s definitely the wow factor of having to get a congress member and a senator nomination, but that was the challenge. Explaining the process to other people was enough to make me determined to do it, and it was fun to figure it out.”
The selection process for brigade commander is rigorous. The board reviews records of top-ranked midshipmen and is composed of the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen, battalion officers, the brigade master chief, and the current brigade commander. They seek candidates who exemplify the Academy’s values of honor, courage, and commitment to service.
“The Brigade of Midshipmen is a unique and challenging group to lead,” said Lt. Colin Magaro, the 13th Company Officer. “Midshipmen are from all over the world and from many different walks of life and backgrounds. Kellen can communicate easily with anyone and can effectively bridge the perceived gap between active duty and the Brigade.”
Bynes spent much of his summer as a plebe (freshman) detailer, working with the Academy’s newest midshipmen. He knew he wanted to hold a striper position during the school year, one where he was included in the conversations that would affect and benefit the brigade.
“The Brigade Commander billet will further stretch Midshipman Bynes’s already impressive leadership skills,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Dereck Brown, an instructor for the Languages and Cultures Department. “He will have the unique opportunity to try new leadership approaches at the highest level afforded to midshipmen. He cares for the well-being of others but holds himself to a high standard and demands accountability from his peers.”
Bynes has a clear intent for his time as brigade commander, calling it his three P’s; people, preparation, and pride.
“Kellen has really great emotional intelligence,” added Magaro. “You can throw him in any situation and he will be able to add value. His ability to interact/communicate with others and bring teams together in any scenario and from any background is impressive. The Navy runs on communication, attitude, and morale, and USNA is no exception.”
As brigade commander, Bynes will lead the Brigade of Midshipmen through this semester’s parades, training, and day-to-day responsibilities, shaping the future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps. Midshipman Bynes is on track to graduate with a Political Science degree, a minor in German, and has early-selected to commission into the submarine community.
“This is a tough school to be at, and it’s not the typical college experience,” Bynes added. “The pride I have in this uniform, this institution, the resources, and the training available to us is something that I hope to share with the brigade. I don’t want everyone to look back after commissioning and realize what we had, I want them to feel pride in it while they’re here.”
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