VT-4 Leadership

Executive Officer

A native of Eden, New York, Commander C.J. "Monkey" Brass graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Additionally, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Florida. In August 2010, he reported to the VP 30 "Pro's Nest" for initial fleet training as a P-3C Navigation/Communications Officer and earned his Naval Flight Officer (NFO) wings of gold in February 2011.

CDR Brass began his operational flying in May 2011 with the "Tridents" of VP-26. While a "Trident", he served as Readiness Officer and NFO Training Officer. In 2017, CDR Brass joined the "Wizards" of VPU-2 in Kaneohe, HI for his second operational tour where he served as Readiness Officer, NFO Training Officer, and Training Officer. Selected for Aviation Department Head, he joined the "Screaming Eagles" of VP-1 in Whidbey Island, Washington where he served as Tactics Officer, Training Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer on the squadron's first two P-8A deployments from 2020-2022. Operationally, CDR Brass has deployed around the globe supporting Operations NEW DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM-HORN OF AFRICA, INHERENT RESOLVE, SEA GUARDIAN as well as routine and contingency operations in U.S. INDOPACOM, U.S. CENTCOM, and U.S EUCOM AORs between 2011 and 2022.

Ashore, CDR Brass served as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) P-8A Instructor NFO at the VP-30 "Pro's Nest" from 2014-2017. While there, he served as NFO Track Manager, Fleet Projects NFO, and Student Control Officer. Following his Department Head tour at VP-1, he served as the Operations Officer at Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11 from 2022-2023, overseeing all East Coast P-8A and MQ-4C operations out of Jacksonville, FL. CDR Brass was selected for squadron command in March 2023 and reported to the VT-4 "Warbucks" in July 2024.

CDR Brass has accumulated over 2,800 flight-hours, 90 combat sorties, 680 combat flight-hours, and holds Mission Commander and Instructor qualifications in the P-3C, SP-3, and P-8A. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, along with various campaign, service, and unit awards.