SAN DIEGO — Rear Adm. Frank Brajevic, Reserve deputy director, Medical Forces Pacific, and chief of the Reserve Dental Corps, retired from naval service during a ceremony in San Diego Sept. 8, concluding more than 25 years of service in the Navy Reserve Dental Corps.
Rear Adm. Kevin Brown, commander of Naval Medical Forces Pacific, presided over the ceremony, which brought together Brajevic’s family, friends, shipmates and colleagues to recognize his contributions to Navy Medicine and celebrate a career defined by clinical expertise, operational service and leadership.
“Frank’s work as the chief of the Navy Reserve Dental Corps continued to build upon the tradition of service,” Brown said. “By implementing a rapid, motivation-based process capable of supporting more than 1,000 daily exams, modernizing talent management, and improving record keeping to support the warfighter mission.”
The ceremony included the presentation of awards recognizing Brajevic’s service and accomplishments. Members of his family were also presented with awards and flowers in appreciation for their support throughout his career. A shadow box commemorating his naval service was presented, followed by the passing of the flag during the “Old Glory” ceremony and a recitation of “The Watch.” The ceremony concluded with Brajevic being piped ashore for the final time.
Brajevic said developing people was among the accomplishments that gave him the greatest sense of pride. “Watching the officers and enlisted Sailors I served with develop into outstanding leaders has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” Brajevic said. “Their success and continued service to Navy Medicine is something I take great pride in.”
A native of San Pedro, California, Brajevic earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of California, Irvine, in 1986 and a doctor of dental surgery from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry in 1990. He later completed advanced training in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics before accepting a direct commission in the Navy Reserve Dental Corps in 2000.
His early assignments included service with Naval Medical Center San Diego Detachment D and 4th Dental Battalion. While assigned to 4th Dental Battalion, Brajevic served as acting commanding officer of 4th Dental Company and supported multinational missions in Africa in 2009 and 2012.
Brajevic later served with Operational Health Support Unit Camp Pendleton and Operational Health Support Unit Bremerton, where he served as executive officer and commanding officer. He went on to serve in senior headquarters assignments, including deputy chief of staff at Naval Medical Forces Support Command and chief of staff at Naval Medical Forces Pacific.
He also served as the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery’s prosthodontic specialty leader from 2022 to 2025. In his civilian career, Brajevic served as lead dentist and assistant director with the Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and held a faculty appointment at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Brajevic said he hopes his legacy is rooted in the way he treated and developed others.
“I hope I leave behind a reputation for treating people with respect, working hard and leading by example,” he said. “Throughout my career, I tried to remain curious, seek out new opportunities and encourage others to step outside their comfort zones. If I helped even a few people grow professionally, gain confidence in themselves or realize their potential, I would consider that a meaningful legacy.” Brajevic encouraged those continuing to serve to remain focused on the mission and committed to professional development.
“Focus on doing your job to the best of your ability and don’t get distracted by every rumor or change happening around you,” he said. “Organizations evolve, but the mission remains. Continue investing in your professional development no matter where you are in your career. There is always something new to learn.”