Lt Col Lynn W. Berendsen was born in Mountain View California on 6 August 1972 and shortly after moved to Lecompton, Kansas where spent his formative years. He enlisted and went to Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego in January 1995. In December 2000, he was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2001 following graduation from the University of Kansas. After graduating The Basic School (TBS), Infantry Officers Course (IOC) and the Amphibious Officers Course, he served as a platoon commander in 2d AA BN. In 2005, he deploying in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, with Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 8 in Fallujah, Iraq.
In December 2005, First Lieutenant Berendsen was assigned to TBS at Quantico where he served as an instructor as well as a staff platoon commander and was promoted to Captain in 2006. From 2008-2009, Captain Berendsen attended Expeditionary Warfare School and after graduating he reported to 2d AA BN. In June 2009, he deployed to Al Asad, Iraq as in Individual Augment (IA) to RCT 8, filling the billet of Assistant Current Operation Officer. Upon his return, Captain Berendsen commanded Company "A” from March 2010 until January 2011. During this period, he deployed onboard the USS IWO JIMA to Central and South America with his company as the Ground Combat Element commander for the SPMAGTF, Continuing Promise 2010. Upon his return to 2d AA BN, he served as the Battalion Operations Officer until June 2011.
Captain Berendsen reported for duty at the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA) in July 2011 where he served as the Amphibious Vehicle Branch Head. At MCOTEA, he worked on the AAV upgrade program as well as the future Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program. He was promoted to Major in October 2012 and in July 2014 he attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College, earning a Masters in Military Studies.
In June 2015, Major Berendsen reported to 3d AA BN and subsequently was sent as an IA to the Build Partner Capacity Team. He deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Division for Task Force Al Taqaddum from October 2015 until April 2016. Upon returning to 3d AA BN, Maj Berendsen served as the Battalion Executive Officer until June 2018.
In 2018 Maj Berendsen was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, PP&O, PO, POG-60 to serve as the Assault Amphibian Branch Head. He was promoted to LtCol in October 2018. He is married to Lora Berendsen and they have a daughter Emma who is in college.