Captain Bryan K. Finch is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from LaGrange College in 1980 and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Masters in Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in Culture and Religion. In addition, he completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education while working with veterans at the Puget Sound VA Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. In 1986, he entered the U.S. Army Reserve as a Second Lieutenant, Chaplain Candidate. In 1988, Chaplain Finch graduated from U.S. Army Chaplain Officer Basic Course, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.  

In 1991, Chaplain Finch entered active duty service as a U.S. Army Chaplain during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm while assigned with the First Battalion, Sixth Infantry as part of 7th Army Training Command in Vilseck, Germany. In 1993, he applied for inter-service transfer into the Naval Reserve and completed the Basic Course at the U.S. Navy Chaplain School, Newport, Rhode Island. His military tours include: USS Fox (CG-33); Destroyer Squadron 33; Regional Support Organization, San Diego, California; Training Wing SIX and the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, Pensacola, Florida; Command Chaplain, U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Yorktown, Virginia; 2nd Marine Division; Deputy Division Chaplain, and Headquarters Battalion; 6th Marine Regiment Chaplain during which time He served as the Combined Joint Task Force Chaplain, Afghanistan; Command Chaplain, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72); He served as District Chaplain with the U. S. Coast Guard 13th District, Seattle, Washington. Chaplain Finch was assigned to both the Commander(s) Navy Region Midwest and Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes; Illinois. Chaplain Finch assumed His current assignment as the Senior Command Chaplain, U. S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut on May 2011. 

Chaplain Finch's military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Gold Star); Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 Gold Star); Army Commendation Medal; Coast Guard Commendation Medal (2 Gold Star plus Operational device); Secretary Transportation 9-11 Medal; Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 Gold Star); Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon; and other numerous unit and service awards. Chaplain Finch is the recipient of the Military Chaplain Association, “Chaplain of the Year” Group Award for His service at ground zero in New York City following 9/11 as part of the Chaplain emergency response team. In 2003, Chaplain Finch was designated an Honorary Coast Guard Master Chief by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. In addition, Captain Finch is the honorary recipient of a Doctor of Divinity degree from Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois. 

Chaplain Finch has the distinction of receiving a letter of appointment as Chaplain from the Commanding Officer of the Navy Flight Demonstration Team "Blue Angels." He is also a member of the International Association of Chaplains in Higher Education (IACHE). 

Chaplain Finch is married to the former Julie Rexroat of Tacoma, Washington. They have a daughter, Hannah Elizabeth.