Gen. Shawn N. Bratton is the Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force. As Vice Chief, he is responsible for assisting the Chief of Space Operations in organizing, training and equipping the United States Space Force. The U.S. Space Force maintains mission-ready space forces that provide the core functions of Space Control, Global Mission Operations and Space Access.
Gen. Bratton received his commission from the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. Prior to his commissioning, Gen. Bratton served as an enlisted member of the Arizona Air National Guard. He has had numerous operational and staff positions and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. He deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom, served as the U.S. Northern Command Director of Space Forces, commanded the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group, and served as the Deputy Director for Operations, United States Space Command. Additionally, he served as the first Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command, U.S. Space Force.
Prior to this assignment, Gen. Bratton served as the Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Space Force.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Education, Arizona State University, Tempe.
1994 Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tenn.
1999 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2005 Master’s Certificate, Homeland Security Studies, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2005 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Naval War College, Newport, R.I., in residence
2011 Master of National Security Studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March–April 1987, Basic Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. April–December 1987, Student, Aircraft Control and Early Warning Systems, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. January 1988–September 1994, Aircraft Control and Warning Radar Technician, 107th Air Control Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, Phoenix, Ariz.
4. September–October 1994, Student, Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tenn.
5. October 1994–August 1999, Communications Officer, 107th Air Control Squadron, Phoenix, Ariz.
6. August 1999–March 2000, Operations Officer (J3), Joint Counter-Narcotics Task Force, Phoenix, Ariz.
7. March 2000–December 2003, Action Officer, Headquarters Air Force Space Command/CG, Peterson AFB, Colo.
8. January 2003–June 2003, Student, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. July 2003–July 2005, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, Headquarters Air Force Space Command/A3, Peterson AFB, Colo.
10. August 2005–July 2007, Weapons Officer, Det. 2, Arizona ANG, Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Ariz.
11. August 2007–July 2010, ANG Advisor to Commander, 14th Air Force, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
12. August 2010–June 2011, Student, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
13. June 2011–February 2014, ANG Advisor to AFSPC/A3 and A6, Peterson AFB, Colo.
14. March 2014–May 2015, ANG Advisor to the Commander, AFSPC, Peterson AFB, Colo.
15. May 2015–June 2017, Commander, 175th Cyberspace Operations Group, Warfield Air National Guard Base, Md.
16. July 2017–January 2019, ANG Advisor to the Commander, AFSPC, Peterson AFB, Colo.
17. January 2019 – August 2019, Deputy Director of Operations, Plans, and Training, Joint Force Space Component Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
18. April 2019–August 2019, Special Assistant to the Chief National Guard Bureau for Space, Schriever AFB, Colo.
19. August 2019–February 2021, Deputy Director of Operations, United States Space Command, Schriever AFB, Colorado
20. February 2021–August 2021, Space Training and Readiness Lead, United States Space Force, Peterson AFB, Colo.
21. August 2021–July 2023, Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command, United States Space Force, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
22. July 2023–July 2025, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
23. July 2025–present, Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with devices
Air and Space Commendation Medal with devices
Air and Space Achievement Medal with devices
2023 Jerome O’Malley Space Visionary Leadership Award
(Current as of August 2025)