He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1904 and began a career in the Field Artillery Branch.

Bryden was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 1940 to March 1942, and was promoted to major general in May 1941.

Because of the army's expansion for World War II, Bryden remained on active duty and served as president of the Secretary of War´s Separation Board.

[3] Bryden's first cousin, Raymond W. Bliss, served as Surgeon General of the United States Army from 1947 to 1951.

[3] Bryden was already decided upon a military career, and his leadership abilities were evident when he led Company C to first place in 1898's annual competition.

[3] In 1899, Bryden competed for a congressional appointment from Representative John F. Fitzgerald to the United States Military Academy (West Point).

[5] Bryden was assigned to the 13th Field Artillery Battery at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming, where he served from September 1904 to January 1906.

[7] He served at Fort Sill from February to May 1919, then traveled to Treves (now Trier) in Germany, where he attended the course at the Army Center of Artillery Studies from June to July.

[8] In September 1922, Bryden began attendance at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, from which he graduated in June 1923.

[8] He remained at the staff college as an instructor from June 1923 to May 1924, when he was assigned to command 2nd Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill.

[8] Bryden was a student at the United States Army War College from August 1927 to June 1928, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in March 1928.

[9] From December 1934 to August 1935, Bryden served with the 6th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Hoyle, Maryland, and he was promoted to colonel in May 1935.

[9] In June 1940, Bryden was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army, succeeding Lorenzo D.

[11][12] He was active in veterans and academic affairs, including membership in the Newcomen Society of the United States and Army and Navy Club, service as commander of Washington's American Legion Post 18, and appointment as senior vice commander of the D.C. chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.

[1] Daughter Marion (1917–2004) was the wife of first Melvin W. Schoephoester (1911–1942), a pilot who died while serving as a first lieutenant in World War II, then Major General Frank Willoughby Moorman (1912–1995).