Navy Medicine > Naval Medical Forces Development Command > Leadership

Rear Admiral (Lower Half) W. D. Brafford

RDML 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, the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ICAF), and a Certificate in Periodontology from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School.

RDML Brafford’s assignments have included the Naval Dental Center, Parris Island, S.C., where he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program; served as Division Officer onboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75); was an Administrative Assistant to the Chief, Navy Dental Corps at the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery; served at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va., where he was the department head, specialty advisor for periodontics and Associate Director; was Director of Dental Services and Director for Clinical Support Services at Naval Hospital Beaufort, S.C.; served as the Senior Dental Executive at Navy Medicine East in Portsmouth, Va., where he oversaw 19 commands while performing duties as region lead for the Secretary of Defense Military Health Systems review; was the Executive officer at Naval Health Clinic New England; served at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-4415) in Millington, Tenn. as the Head Dental Corps Assignment Officer; was located at Naval Health Clinic Annapolis/Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Command Annapolis where he served as the Commanding Officer; and served at the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, where he has served as the Assistant Deputy Chief for Medical Operations (N3), Deputy Chief of Operations, Plans & Readiness (N2/3/5), and Director, Commanders Action Group (CAG). In April 2023, RDML Brafford was appointed as the 40th Chief of the Navy Dental Corps. He assumed duties as Commander, Naval Medical Forces Development Command, located at Joint Base San Antonio on May 25, 2023.

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

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
7700 Arlington Blvd. Ste. 5113 Falls Church, VA 22042-5113
This is an official U.S. Navy website
This is a Department of Defense (DoD) Internet computer system.

General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.list.bumed---pao@health.mil