Robin Braun

Robin Rumble Braun (born 1958) is a retired American vice admiral of the United States Navy. Her last assignment was as Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force. She assumed that assignment on August 13, 2012. She was the first female commander of the U.S. Navy Reserve, and the first woman to lead any Reserve component of the U.S. military. Prior to her last assignment, Admiral Braun served as Deputy Director, European Plans and Operations Center, ECJ-3 United States European Command.

Early life and education

The daughter of a career naval aviator, she was born in Pensacola, Florida. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University. She was commissioned in 1980 and was designated a naval aviator in 1981.

Career

Braun’s first assignment was to Training Squadron (VT) 31, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, where she served as an instructor pilot in the T-44 aircraft. She was then assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 3, NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, serving as a mission commander, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot in the EC-130Q aircraft and providing airborne communications to strategic forces. Subsequent squadron tours include Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 61, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, and VR-51, NAS Glenview, Illinois.

Braun was selected for aviation command and served as commanding officer of VR-48, NAF Washington, D.C. During her tour, the squadron was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety Award.

Her subsequent command tours included Navy Air Logistics Office (NALO), Navy Reserve Carrier Strike Group 10 supporting the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and Joint Task Force Katrina, and Tactical Support Center 0793 supporting Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Five.

Staff assignments include naval intern on the Joint Staff (J3), Aviation Initial Assignments detailer at Navy Personnel Command, facilitator for the Naval Safety Center’s Culture Workshop Program and chief of staff, CNO Operations and Plans supporting chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N3/N5.

Upon selection to flag rank, she reported to Navy Recruiting Command where she served as deputy commander and commander until 2009. Subsequently, she was assigned as director, Total Force Management for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (OPNAV N2/N6).

Braun served as deputy director, European Plans and Operations Center (ECJ-3), United States European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany.

Braun has accumulated over 5,800 flight hours in Navy aircraft. Her awards include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).

In May 2012, she was nominated for the rank of Vice Admiral and Chief of Navy Reserve. On 13 August 2012, she relieved Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink. On 26 September 2016, she was relieved by Vice Admiral Luke M. McCollum.