Team O'Brien: Husband and Wife Assume Squadron Command on the Same Day

The effortless three-pointers left him in awe.

Then-midshipman Michael O’Brien watched the ball sail through the air before swishing perfectly into the net on the U.S. Naval Academy basketball court. He fell in love.

Courtney Davidson made shot after shot. The Hanover, Pennsylvania, native was earning her legacy as the highest all-time scorer on the Naval Academy women’s basketball team.

Almost 20 years later, Lt. Col. Michael O’Brien and Lt. Col. Courtney O’Brien each took command of their own squadrons within 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing on the same day, Sept. 9, 2022, with 17 years of marriage under their belts and two children by their side.

Lt. Col. Courtney “Britney” O’Brien has taken the helm as the commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11. A short jog down the flightline, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 is now commanded by none other than her husband, Lt. Col. Michael “Snooki” O’Brien.

The two Marine leaders have celebrated many successes throughout their careers, both personal and professional.

Courtney, who relieved Lt. Col. Michael A. Blejski of a successful command, has served in multiple combat deployments including Operation Enduring Freedom. Her long list of accomplishments include her roles in doctrine development, becoming a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, serving as a liaison to NATO, and now taking over as the first female to command VMGR-352.

“I am so happy to be back in this environment,” said Courtney, during her change of command ceremony while pointing at the formation of Marines. “This is what it is all about.”