Ted N. Branch

Ted N. Branch
Nickname(s) Twig
Born Long Beach, Mississippi
Allegiance USA
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1975–present
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards

Ted N. "Twig" Branch is a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy. He is currently the Director of Naval Intelligence / Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance. His security clearance for classified material has been suspended since November 2013.

Education

Military career

Branch is a career naval aviator, specializing in A-7 Corsairs and F/A-18 Hornets. He has flown combat missions over Grenada, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iraq. He has served as the commanding officer of VFA-15 (Strike Fighter Squadron 15), the USS Coronado (AGF-11), the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Strike Group One (Carl Vinson Strike Group), and Naval Air Force Atlantic. He has also served on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.[1]

As the commander of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), then-Captain Branch was featured prominently in the Emmy award-winning documentary television series Carrier.[2]

On 16 May 2013, Branch was nominated by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to become the Director of Naval Intelligence and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance. He was confirmed by the United States Senate in July 2013 and automatically promoted to Vice Admiral (O-9).[3]

Corruption Scandal

On November 8, 2013, the Navy suspended VADM Branch's security clearance in connection with an NCIS bribery investigation involving Singapore-based defense contractor, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.[4][5] The investigation as to Branch involves a non-criminal accusation of "inappropriate conduct" associated with his acceptance of gifts from Glenn Marine during the time of his Pacific commands, before his appointment as Director of Naval Intelligence.[6] Although Branch remained in his post during the long Justice Department investigation, his security clearance was not restored, relegating him to administrative duties.

In September 2015, the Navy formally nominated Rear Admiral Elizabeth L. Train to succeed Branch as Director of Naval Intelligence.[7] On April 1. 2016, the Navy Times reported that the Navy had withdrawn Train's nomination to succeed Branch in favor of Vice Admiral Jan Tighe, previously commander of the Navy’s Cyber Command. Branch's security clearance remains in suspension, meaning he continues to be unable to review classified documents or attend meetings where classified information is discussed.[8] Branch however still remains in his post as of March 2016, with his main duties taken care of by his two deputies.[9]

The Daily Mail reported, "Branch is yet to be charged, but he has not been cleared either - leaving the Navy in the bizarre predicament of having an intelligence chief who is unable to read top secret documents."[10]

Military Awards and Decorations

Information Dominance Warfare Officer Badge

Naval Aviator Wings

Silver star

Legion of Merit (with one silver award star)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Gold star

Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold award star)
Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 1
V
Gold star
Gold star

Navy Commendation Medal (with two gold award stars and Combat V)
Navy Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Bronze star

Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon (with one bronze service star)
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon
Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device (5 awards)
Bronze star

Navy Expeditionary Medal (with one bronze service star)
Bronze star

National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Bronze star
Silver star

Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with silver and bronze service star)
Navy Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal

Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ted N. Branch.

References

Military offices
Preceded by
Kendall L. Card
Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence
2013–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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