Annette E. Brown
Encyclopedia
Annette Elise Brown is a retired rear admiral
of the United States Navy
.
, California
, Brown attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
and graduated with a B.S.
in Business Management in 1973.
and was commissioned an Ensign. Her initial assignment was at the U.S. Air Facility, Sigonella, Sicily
.
This was followed by a tour on the staff of the Commander Pacific Fleet, where she volunteered for the Women at Sea Program. As a result, Brown was assigned to USS Prairie (AD-15)
as Operations Officer and Navigator. She qualified as a Surface Warfare
Officer.
A tour on the staff of Commander, Navy Surface Forces Pacific from 1982 to 1984 was followed by three tours of duty with the Military Sealift Command
(MSC). Brown served with the MSC in San Diego, California
and then in Washington, D.C.
, followed by a tour as Commanding Officer, MSCO Bremerhaven
, Germany
, directing the shipment of United States Army
vehicles and equipment through northern European ports in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
After a subsequent tour as the Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Base Seattle, she assumed the duties of Commanding Officer, Naval Station Everett
, where she served from 1996 until 1998.
In July 1998, Brown was nominated for Rear Admiral (lower half).
From October 1998 to March 2000, she served as Director, Shore Installation Management Division (N46) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
. From March 2000 until September 2002 she was the Assistant Commander, Navy Personnel Command (Personal Readiness and Community Support), Millington, Tennessee
.
In June 2001 Brown was nominated for the rank of Rear Admiral (upper half) and then assumed duties as Commander, Navy Region Southeast
on October 29, 2002. Brown was the first woman to command Navy Region Southeast. She retired on December 9, 2005 after her change of command ceremony.
, the Meritorious Service Medal
, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Early life
A native of Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Brown attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
and graduated with a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Business Management in 1973.
Navy career
In 1974, Brown completed Navy Officer Candidate SchoolOfficer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
and was commissioned an Ensign. Her initial assignment was at the U.S. Air Facility, Sigonella, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
.
This was followed by a tour on the staff of the Commander Pacific Fleet, where she volunteered for the Women at Sea Program. As a result, Brown was assigned to USS Prairie (AD-15)
USS Prairie (AD-15)
USS Prairie was a built just before the start of World War II for the U.S. Navy. Prior to U.S. entry into World War II, Prairie cruised between Atlantic ports from Colon, C.Z. to Argentia, Newfoundland...
as Operations Officer and Navigator. She qualified as a Surface Warfare
Surface warfare
Modern naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and submarine warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inherent to that area....
Officer.
A tour on the staff of Commander, Navy Surface Forces Pacific from 1982 to 1984 was followed by three tours of duty with the Military Sealift Command
Military Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
(MSC). Brown served with the MSC in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and then in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, followed by a tour as Commanding Officer, MSCO Bremerhaven
Bremerhaven
Bremerhaven is a city at the seaport of the free city-state of Bremen, a state of the Federal Republic of Germany. It forms an enclave in the state of Lower Saxony and is located at the mouth of the River Weser on its eastern bank, opposite the town of Nordenham...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, directing the shipment of United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
vehicles and equipment through northern European ports in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
After a subsequent tour as the Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Base Seattle, she assumed the duties of Commanding Officer, Naval Station Everett
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
, where she served from 1996 until 1998.
In July 1998, Brown was nominated for Rear Admiral (lower half).
From October 1998 to March 2000, she served as Director, Shore Installation Management Division (N46) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
. From March 2000 until September 2002 she was the Assistant Commander, Navy Personnel Command (Personal Readiness and Community Support), Millington, Tennessee
Millington, Tennessee
Millington is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 10,176. Millington was the home of the recently closed Memphis Motorsports Park. It was granted the title "Flag City Tennessee" by the Tennessee State Legislature. The Naval Support Activity Mid-South is...
.
In June 2001 Brown was nominated for the rank of Rear Admiral (upper half) and then assumed duties as Commander, Navy Region Southeast
United States Navy Regions
A list of United States Navy Regions.* Navy District Washington -- https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ndw/index.htm* Navy Region Hawaii -- https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Hawaii/index.htm* Navy Region Korea -- https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Korea/index.htm...
on October 29, 2002. Brown was the first woman to command Navy Region Southeast. She retired on December 9, 2005 after her change of command ceremony.
Awards and decorations
Admiral Brown's military decorations include the Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Education
Brown earned a master’s degree in Business Management from the Naval Postgraduate SchoolNaval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
.
See also
- Women in the United States NavyWomen in the United States NavyWomen have served in the United States Navy for over a century. Today, there are over 52,391 women serving on active duty in an array of traditional and non-traditional ratings or careers...
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...