Ted N. Branch, a native of Long Beach, MS, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

A naval aviator, his operational assignments include Light Attack Squadrons 15 and 37, USS Forrestal (CV 59), and Strike Fighter Squadron 37. He served as Executive and Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 15, Executive Officer in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Commanding Officer in USS Coronado (AGF 11) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and Commander of Carrier Strike Group One/Carl Vinson Strike Group. During those tours, Branch deployed with both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and has logged combat time in A7s and F18s over Grenada, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iraq. He participated in Operations Urgent Fury, Earnest Will, Southern Watch, Deliberate Force, Iraqi Freedom, and led the initial Navy efforts for Haiti earthquake relief in Operation Unified Response.

Ashore, Branch has served as an instructor in the A7 and F18 Fleet Replacement Squadrons, the Joint Staff in Washington, completed Navy Nuclear Power Training, served as Executive Assistant to the Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, and Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic.

In July 2013, he was appointed to the rank of Vice Admiral as he assumed office as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance, and the 65th Director of Naval Intelligence.

Branch's medals and awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

Two Admirals Face Probe

On 10 November 2013, Fox News announced that two U.S. Navy admirals have reportedly become ensnared in a far-reaching bribery scandal involving the sale of classified information to a Malaysian defense contractor. The Washington Post reports Vice Admiral Ted Branch and Rear Admiral Bruce F. Loveless have both taken forced leaves of absence and had their access to classified materials suspended.

The news comes on the heels of the reports that at least two Navy Commanders allegedly leaked inside information to Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis -- chief executive of the contractor Glenn Defense Marine Asia, which resupplies ships and submarines across Asia.

Federal prosecutors are reportedly accusing Navy Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz, 46, of tipping off Francis to the worldwide movement of Navy ships so his company could obtain contracts to service those vessels at port. Also reportedly arrested was Naval Criminal Investigative Service supervisory Special Agent John Beliveau, 44, who allegedly (and secretly) downloaded reports on his agency’s investigation into Glenn Defense Marine Asia -- and how it won a $125 million contract to service naval ships at ports of call. Such information allegedly allowed the company to bilk the U.S. government of more money – and even secure more contracts worth up to $200 million -- as it defended itself from the Navy's criminal investigations.

According to The Post, neither Branch nor Loveless has as-yet been charged with a crime or service violation, or been demoted. As Director of Naval Intelligence, Branch serves as the Navy’s top intelligence officer. But the paper cited a Navy official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as saying the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service unearthed evidence of “personal misconduct” by Branch and Loveless as part of the larger investigation into Glenn Defense Marine.

And the paper adds the alleged improprieties predate either man’s promotion to their current positions. “We do believe that other naval officers will likely be implicated in this scandal,” Rear Admiral John F. Kirby, the Navy’s chief spokesman, told The Post in a telephone interview.