Maj. Gen. Bratton Awarded for Visionary Space Leadership

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 12, 2023 — Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton, special assistant to the Chief of Space Operations, was awarded AFA’s “Jerome F. O’Malley Space Visionary Leadership Award” at the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference in recognition for his contributions to advancing our nation’s interests in space. The O’Malley trophy and commemorative medallion were jointly presented by Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, AFA Chair Bernie Skoch, and Sharon O’Malley Berg, the daughter of the award’s namesake.

Bratton became the first Commander of the Space Training and Readiness Command in February 2021, laying the groundwork of innovative education and training so that more than 6,000 Guardians can prevail in competition. He helped establish the Space Force’s first war college at Johns Hopkins University and the first Guardian-focused basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio. Bratton was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tenn., but first he served as an enlisted member of the 107th Air Control Squadron for the Arizona ANG. He’s held many operational and staff positions in his 30-year career and was the first Air National Guardsman to attend Space Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis Air Force Base. Bratton was recently nominated for a third star.

The Jerome F. O’Malley Space Visionary Leadership Award was established in 2021 to recognize outstanding visionary leaders within the Space community. The award recognizes individuals who have pioneered the path to building the Space Force, U.S. Space Command, and other organizations instrumental to protecting and advancing our nation’s interests in space.

Congratulations, Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton!