Annette E. Brown

Annette Elise Brown is a retired rear admiral of the United States Navy.

Early life A native of Los Angeles, California, Brown attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and graduated with a B.S. in business management in 1973.

Navy career In 1974, Brown completed Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an ensign. Her initial assignment was at the U.S. Air Facility, Sigonella in 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.

From October 1998 to March 2000, she was the 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) at Millington, Tennessee. and 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.

Awards and decorations Brown's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Education Brown earned a master's degree in business management from the Naval Postgraduate School.