Robin Braun was born in Pensacola, Florida. She attended Northern Arizona University and earned her commission after graduating in 1980. In 1981, she was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, serving as an instructor pilot with the Training Squadron 31.
Two years later, Braun joined the Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron in Hawaii, where she served in several positions using the EC-130Q aircraft. She was attached to various squadrons, including Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons (VR) 51 and 61, and in many staff roles, including as a naval intern on the Joint Staff, as an aviation detailer on the Navy Personnel Command and as the deputy chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy. Beyond these roles, Braun earned commanding positions across several units, including VR-48—during which time the unit earned a Battle Efficiency Award and Chief Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award—and the Navy Air Logistics Office.
Later in her career, Braun earned several flag officer roles, including deputy commander for the Navy recruiting command and deputy director of operations, U.S. European Command, a role she completed in Germany between 2010 and 2012. In her final naval role, Braun served as Chief of Navy Reserve from 2012 to 2016, during which time she led 60,000 reserve service members around the world.
By the time she retired as a vice admiral in 2016, Braun had completed over 5,800 flight hours. During her 36-year career, she earned several medals, including three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Legions of Merit and a Defense Superior Service Medal.
After her military career, Braun joined the Identiv Board of Directors in 2019. She also serves as director of the foundation board at the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and as director of the foundation board of her alma mater, North Arizona University.
We honor her service.
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Writer: Khaled Maalouf
Editors: Cate Manning, Ashley Shaut
Researchers: Raphael Romea
Graphic Designer: Kaylie Ferguson
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