Biography
Executive Officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323
Major Branson Reed

Major Branson Reed was born in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Creekview High School in 2005. At Texas A&M University, he attended Officer Candidates School, Platoon Leaders Courses and after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 2010. He graduated The Basic School with Company 3-11 and transitioned to flight training in Pensacola, FL.

He completed flight school training at VT-86 in Pensacola, FL earning his Naval Flight Officer wings in September of 2013. After completion of flight training, First Lieutenant Reed joined VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar for F/A-18 fleet replacement training.

In the spring of 2015, Captain Reed was assigned to VMFA(AW)-225, at MCAS Miramar where his billets included scheduling officer, aviation life support systems division officer, and adjutant. During this tour, Captain Reed deployed to the Western Pacific in support of the Unit Deployment Program in 2015 and 2017.

In the spring of 2018, Captain Reed attended the Tactical Air Control Party course and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment aboard MCB Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where he served as Air Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. During this tour, he graduated from Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1-19 through the Air Officer Department, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan in support of the Forward Deployed Forces-Hawaii rotation.

Upon return from deployment in 2019, Captain Reed was assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One to serve as an instructor in the Air Officer Department. During this tour, he was the subject matter expert for Close Air Support, Digitally-Aided Aviation Interoperability, and Aviation Development Tactics and Evaluation. He served for a total of six Weapons and Tactics Instructor Courses.

In the summer of 2022, Major Reed reported to VMFAT-101 to serve as F/A-18 fleet replacement aircrew instructor. During this tour, he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer executing multiple detachments for training across the United States.

In October 2023, Major Reed moved to VMFA-323 and currently serves as the Executive Officer.

Major Reed’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Second Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Third Award).