[2][3] His MD thesis, which was completed in 1999, is titled "The prevention of heart illness in the British Army".

[2] His PhD thesis, which was completed in 2011 and supervised by Professor Peter McCarthy, is titled "Managing health services support to military operations".

[4][6] Bricknell received a US Bronze Star Medal for distinguished services in Afghanistan on 26 February 2015.

[7] In May 2018, Bricknell became Surgeon-General of the British Armed Forces with the acting rank of lieutenant general.

[9] Bricknell retired from the British Army on 3 April 2019 with the honorary rank of lieutenant general.