Cmdr. Brenna Schnars
Commanding Officer, Beachmaster Unit TWO (BMU) 2
07 July 2021
A native of Pennsylvania, CDR Brenna Schnars was commissioned upon graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 2003 where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She holds a Master’s Degree in Middle Eastern Security Studies from the Naval Post Graduate School.
For her first Division Officer tour, she reported aboard USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50), where she served as the Communications Officer and 2nd Division Officer, deploying to the Fifth and Sixth Fleet AORs. CDR Schnars then reported aboard USS WASP (LHD 1) as the Fire Control Officer and surge deployed in support of JTF Lebanon. Her Department Head tours were in USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) as the First Lieutenant and Amphibious Squadron SIX (CPR 6) as the N3. While onboard FORT MCHENRY she deployed in support of Africa Partnership Station and Security Cooperation Task Force operations followed by a deployment with CPR 6 to the Fifth and Sixth Fleet AORs as part of the BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group.
CDR Schnars completed her shore duty assignments at Navy Personnel Command as a Junior Officer Detailer, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO (ESG 2) as the Flag Secretary and N1, and on the Joint Staff, J35 South as the Naval Forces Lead Planner and the Emergent Operations Officer. CDR Schnars reported to Beachmaster Unit TWO as Executive Officer in April 2020 and became Commanding Officer in December 2021.
CDR Schnars’ personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various campaign and unit awards.