RDML Brafford is a native of Southwest Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drury College and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri School of Dentistry. His graduate degrees include a Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences from The George Washington University and a Master’s of National Security and Resource Strategy degree from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School, and a Certificate in Periodontology from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School. 

Brafford’s assignments include Naval Dental Center Parris Island where he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, followed by his division officer tour aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75).

He served as Administrative Assistant to the Chief, Navy Dental Corps at the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth as Department Head and Specialty Advisor for periodontics and Associate Director for Dental Services. RDML Brafford then reported to Naval Hospital Beaufort where he served as Director of Dental Services and Director for Clinical Support Services.

Following his tour at Naval Hospital Beaufort, RDML Brafford served as the Senior Dental Executive, Navy Medicine East in Portsmouth, Virginia, directly supporting 19 commands while serving as lead for the Secretary of Defense Military Health Systems review. RDML Brafford then reported to Naval Health Clinic New England as the Executive Officer, followed by 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 served as the Assistant Deputy Chief for Medical Operations (M3), Deputy Chief of Operations, Plans & Readiness (OP&R), and Director, Commander’s Action Group (CAG).  RDML Brafford currently serves at Fort Sam Houston, TX as Commander of Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC) and the 40th Chief of the Navy Dental Corps.

RDML Brafford is qualified to wear the following awards and decorations: the Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (5), Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (2), and various individual and unit awards. He earned the Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer warfare device while onboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75).
 

Last Updated: 2 January 2024