Rear Admiral Brafford is a native of Southwest Missouri.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drury College and a Doctorate in Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri School of Dentistry.  He holds Master’s Degrees from The George Washington University and the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ICAF), and a Certificate in Periodontology from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School.

Rear Admiral Brafford’s assignments have included the Naval Dental Center Parris Island, South Carolina where he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program; Division Officer onboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75); Administrative Assistant to the Chief, Navy Dental Corps at the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery; Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served as the department head, specialty advisor for periodontics and Associate Director; Director of Dental Services and Director for Clinical Support Services at Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina; Navy Medicine East in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served as the Senior Dental Executive overseeing 19 commands while serving as region lead for the Secretary of Defense Military Health Systems review; Naval Health Clinic New England where he served as Executive Officer; Navy Personnel Command (PERS-4415) in Millington, Tennessee as the Head Dental Corps Assignment Officer; Naval Health Clinic Annapolis/Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Command Annapolis, Maryland where he served as the Commanding Officer; and the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, Falls Church, Virginia, where he has served as the Assistant Deputy Chief for Medical Operations (M3), Deputy Chief of Operations, Plans & Readiness (OP&R), and Director, Commanders Action Group (CAG).

Rear Admiral Brafford is qualified to wear the following military decorations and awards: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (5), Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (2), Surface Warfare Medical Department (SWMDO) and various unit awards. 

Last Updated: 19 December 2023