Thomas Braden

Thomas Braden is a 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He studied Political Science and entered the fleet as a Naval Aviator. After earning his wings of gold, he flew SH-60B and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, deploying to the Northern Arabian Gulf. His shore tours included Washington, D.C. and Naples, Italy.

Selected to the inaugural cohort of the “Navy D.C. Intern” Program, he completed his Master’s degree in Organizational Management from The George Washington University in 2001. He is passionate about the opportunities that the U.S. Navy has afforded him: piloting aircraft around the world; serving as a White House Social Aide under President Clinton

and President Bush; acting as the Chief of Naval Operations’ Foreign Liaison Officer, where, in the truest sense of foreign liaison, het met and married, Ms. Kirsty McLean, formerly of Brisbane, Australia.

Following his retirement from active duty in 2018, his international adventures continued, following his wife’s civil service career to Jakarta, Indonesia. Here, he had the opportunity to serve with USAID, as a Human Resources Advisor, implementing a new merit-based evaluation and compensation system.

In his initial assignment to the civil service, he will serve as the NATO Policy Specialist for the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Africa and the Commander of the U.S. Navy, Sixth Fleet, in Naples, Italy.

Thomas is an avid yogi. He loves good food and outdoor photography. He is happily married with two sons, Connor and Chase.