LTC Brandon A. Shah
Soldier. Aviator. Educator. Mentor. Husband. Father. Leader.
A Life of Service
Brandon began his military service in 2003, enlisting in the United States Army as an Aviation Operations Specialist.
After attending Old Dominion University, he earned his commission as an Army officer and went on to build a distinguished career in Army Aviation.
Brandon served in the Active Army, Army Reserve and Virginia Army National Guard. As an Army aviator and AH-64 Apache pilot, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Atlantic Resolve.
Over the course of his career, he accumulated more than 1,200 flight hours, including more than 600 combat flight hours, and served in numerous command and operational leadership positions.
His military service was recognized with honors including the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals and the Air Medal with Valor.
Developing the Next Generation
Brandon earned his Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University in 2007, followed by an MBA from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas.
In 2022, he returned to Old Dominion University to lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion as Professor of Military Science and Department Chair.
For Brandon, developing future officers meant far more than teaching military skills.
He wanted his cadets to understand that leadership meant character, accountability, courage and accepting responsibility for the lives of others.
March 12, 2026
On the morning of March 12, Brandon was teaching an Army ROTC class inside Constant Hall at Old Dominion University when an armed assailant entered the classroom and opened fire.
Brandon was fatally wounded while protecting his cadets.
Two ROTC students were also injured, and the cadets ultimately subdued the assailant. Old Dominion University later described Brandon as a “heroic protector.”
What happened that morning was an extraordinary act of courage.
But it was not disconnected from the life Brandon had lived before it.
It was the culmination of his character.
Carrying His Legacy Forward
Brandon spent more than two decades serving his country, leading others and preparing future leaders.
The Foundation exists not simply to preserve his name, but to preserve what his life demonstrated:
Leadership is ultimately measured by what we are willing to give in service to others.
Through scholarships, mentorship, family support, advocacy and leadership initiatives, we hope young people who never had the opportunity to meet Brandon will still come to understand what he stood for.