Rear Adm. Brian Corey earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a commission from Naval Reserve Officer Training at the University of Illinois.  He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and holds a master's in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Corey served operationally as an F/A-18 pilot in Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 deployed in USS America (CV 66), VFA-146 deployed aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and command of VFA-192 forward deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) to Japan. During these tours he participated in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Provide Hope, Deny Flight, Operation Iraqi Freedom and several Western Pacific deployments.

His shore tours include service as a selectively retained graduate (SERGRAD) flight instructor with Training Air Wing 2 and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) staff where he served as the F/A-18 requirements officer and as the deputy for Strike Aircraft Plans and Requirements.

Corey has served in numerous acquisition tours beginning with the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School where he was selected to fly the MiG-29 aircraft in Russia. His test experience includes two tours at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, where he worked on improvements to weapons, sensors and software upgrades for F/A-18 A-F models. His program management experience includes leading the Core Avionics Integrated Product Team and serving as the deputy program manager for Systems and Advanced Development in the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program (PMA-265). He also commanded the Direct and Time Sensitive Weapons Program (PMA-242) and served as Naval Air Systems Command vice commander.

From October 2015 - May 2018, Corey served as commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, and assistant commander for Test and Evaluation, Naval Air Systems Command.

Corey has more than 3,800 flight hours and 660 carrier arrested landings, mostly in the F/A-18 Hornet. He has logged hours in more than 20 aircraft, including the F/A-18 A-F, MiG-29, AV-8B, F-15 and F-16.