Branson Machen

Lieutenant Commander Branson Machen has served in various operational roles within the U.S. Navy, including as Operations Officer aboard the USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20) since April 2025. Previously, Machen held positions on the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), where they contributed to engineering operations, and the USS DEXTROUS (MCM 13) as Department Head, focusing on mine countermeasures. With experience in multiple deployments and humanitarian efforts, including Operation Allies Refuge, they have proven expertise in multinational exercises and strategic operations. Machen graduated from Savannah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and completed the Maritime Staff Operator Course at the U.S. Naval War College in 2020.