Brian Ouellette was born on February 12, 1967, in Brighton, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 7, 1990, and completed basic training at NTC Orlando, Florida, in April 1990. Ouellette attended Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (Parachute Rigger) A School at NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey, from April to July 1990, and then attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from July 1990 to March 1991. He next attended Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in April and May 1991, followed by service with SEAL Team FOUR at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from June 1991 to July 1995. During this time he deployed with Naval Special Warfare Unit EIGHT to the Panama Canal from January to June 1995. Petty Officer Ouellette attended language training at the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, California, from July 1995 to February 1996, and then served with SEAL Team FOUR at NAB Little Creek from February 1996 to February 2003. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Group TWO at NAB Little Creek from February 2003 until he was killed in action after his vehicle hit a land mine in Afghanistan on May 29, 2004. Brian Ouellette was buried at Saint Patricks Cemetery in Watertown, Massachusetts.

His Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Citation reads:

For meritorious service while serving as Special Activities Leading Petty Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group TWO from February 2003 to May 2004. Petty Officer Ouellette displayed exceptional leadership and tactical expertise in support of operational preparation of the Battlespace Activities. He provided highly valuable and time-sensitive intelligence while serving as a Special Operations Forces resident expert, coordinator and facilitator of Joint and Interagency Operations for the United States Ambassador of a critical country in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Ouellette's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.