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.
Ted N. Branch | |
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| Nickname(s) | Twig |
| Born | Long Beach, Mississippi |
| Allegiance | USA |
| Service/ |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1975–present |
| Rank |  Vice Admiral |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
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Bildung
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to succeed Branch as Director of Naval Intelligence.[7] On April 1 2016, the Navy Times reported that the Navy had withdrawn Train's nomination to succeed Branch in favor of Vice Admiral Jan Tighe, previously commander of the Navy’s Cyber Command.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]
Three year security clearance suspension
Notwithstanding the announced change of leadership, by in 2016, it was reported that both Loveless and Branch were still functioning in their roles, yet were "barred from reading, seeing or hearing classified information since November 2013", due to the suspension tied to the investigation.[10]
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."[11]
Military Awards and Decorations
Information Dominance Warfare Officer Badge
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Legion of Merit (with one silver award star) |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold award star) |
 
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Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 1 |
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Navy Commendation Medal (with two gold award stars and Combat V) |
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Navy Achievement Medal |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
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Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon (with one bronze service star) |
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Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon |
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Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device (5 awards) |
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Navy Expeditionary Medal (with one bronze service star) |
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National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star) |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
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Southwest Asia Service Medal |
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Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
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Armed Forces Service Medal |
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Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with silver and bronze service star) |
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Navy Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal |
External links
References
- ^ Navy.mil Leadership Biographies
- ^ CARRIER . The Crew | PBS
- ^ Formal Nomination as DCNO for Information Dominance | Naval Intelligence Professionals
- ^ Whitlock, Craig (8 November 2013). "Two admirals face probe in Navy bribery scheme". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Perry, Tony (8 November 2013). "Two admirals under investigation in Navy bribery scandal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Kenny, Steve; Drew, Christopher (8 November 2013). "Contracting Case Implicates 2 Admirals". New York Times. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ Larter, David (27 September 2015). "Navy nominates new intel boss after two year stalemate". Military Times. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ Larter, David (4 April 2016). "Navy withdraws intel boss nominee, furthering uncertainty". Navy Times. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- ^ http://news.usni.org/2016/03/15/secnav-mabus-defends-head-of-naval-intelligence-ted-branch-in-senate-hearing
- ^ Craig Whitlock, "The admiral in charge of Navy intelligence has not been allowed to see military secrets for years", Washington Post, January 28
- ^ Gillman, Ollie (28 January 2016). "Admiral in charge of Navy intelligence has been barred from seeing military secrets". Daily Mail Online. Retrieved 28 January 2016.