Dylan Curtis: Rebuilding Community After Service

Roots and Regiment

Dylan Curtis grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, with service running quietly through the background of his life. His father served in the Air Force, and one of his earliest mentors—his high school boss—was a former Army Ranger. That early exposure helped shape his direction, eventually leading Dylan to join the Ranger Regiment himself.

After leaving the military, Dylan faced what many veterans do: the abrupt loss of structure, purpose, and a close-knit team. It wasn’t an identity crisis, but it was a shift. The mission-driven pace of Ranger life had suddenly slowed, and Dylan was searching for a new way to move forward.

Dylan’s next chapter came through his role as a firefighter, a job that unexpectedly reignited his connection to service and community. This career change, combined with the purpose to create community, eventually sparked the beginnings of Brigands Co.

What started as a morale-building T-shirt project—designed for fellow Rangers—quickly found traction. The shirts weren’t just about gear; they were about honoring lineage, especially with their distinct diamond logo, a nod to the World War II Ranger insignia. It was a subtle but meaningful way to keep tradition alive and build camaraderie among those who wore them.

A Community-Driven Brand

As Brigands Co. grew, so did its purpose. No longer just apparel, it evolved into a community-first brand. Dylan and his team began showing up at first responder and veteran events, setting up booths, selling gear, and donating portions of profits to local charities. “Building a sense of community in our areas and getting like-minded individuals together in person for meet-ups has been a big goal for us,” Dylan shares.

In 2020, Brigands took another step forward by launching a contracting division that connects veterans to behind-the-scenes roles in the TV and film industry. From emergency planning and medical standby to stunt rigging and search and rescue (SAR) coordination, the work gives veterans hands-on roles in a high-functioning team environment—something many of them are deeply driven to continue after service.

One of Dylan’s clearest takeaways from our conversation was this:
“Do what you love. Do it honestly.”

Brigands is a reflection of that mindset. It’s about building something real—spaces that aren’t driven by overdone sentiment or surface-level messaging, but by purpose, consistency, and connection.

When asked what fuels his own resiliency, He emphasized two things: setting goals that can be consistently worked towards, and staying connected to the people around him. Dylan feels that sometimes, it’s the people in your corner who give you the insight you need to keep moving forward.

And through Brigands, he’s giving others the same chance—to reconnect, to reengage, and to keep going with intention.