Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, the commander at the center of the controversial strikes on an alleged drug-running boat in the Caribbean Sea on September 2, has a distinguished background serving as a Navy SEAL officer. With decades of experience, he has risen through the ranks to lead all U.S. special operations globally. This week, Bradley is set to brief lawmakers on Capitol Hill regarding the bipartisan inquiry into the incident that has drawn significant attention.
According to a source familiar with the incident, two survivors from the initial strike were later observed climbing back into the boat. These individuals were subsequently killed in a second strike, as they were believed to be “still in the fight.” The source noted that they were in communication with other vessels nearby and were attempting to retrieve some of the cargo the boat had been carrying. This controversial decision has raised questions about the rules of engagement and the definition of imminent threat in military operations.
The White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have publicly backed Admiral Bradley's decision to order the second strike. Hegseth stated that he personally oversaw the initial attack and confirmed he did not observe any survivors or subsequent strikes after he left for meetings. He emphasized that Admiral Bradley made the right call in sinking the boat and eliminating the threat, reiterating, “We have his back.”
At the time of the attack, Admiral Bradley was a three-star admiral commanding the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which oversees sensitive special operations missions executed by elite units such as SEAL Team Six and Delta Force. His extensive military career began when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991, where he majored in physics and was a varsity gymnast. Bradley has commanded at all levels of U.S. special operations and was among the first to deploy to Afghanistan following the 9/11 terror attacks.
Originally hailing from Eldorado, Texas, Bradley furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. His academic prowess is notable, having received a provisional patent for his research in 2006, as detailed in his Navy biography. Colleagues who have served with him have consistently characterized Bradley as one of the best in the military.
Retired Navy Commander Eric Oelerich, a former SEAL and current ABC News contributor, has commended Bradley, describing him as an adaptive leader and one of the most intelligent officers in the U.S. military. Oelerich stated, “Bradley is an example of the very best of what is in the U.S. military,” highlighting his grounded moral compass.
Retired Brigadier General Shawn Harris, who has worked alongside Bradley and is now a Democratic candidate for Congress in Georgia, echoed these sentiments, calling him an outstanding leader. Known for operating in the shadows as a senior special operations leader, Bradley made a rare public appearance in July during a Senate confirmation hearing.
Bradley was nominated to serve as the four-star commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and was confirmed in October. During his confirmation hearing, he assured lawmakers that the officers under his command would prioritize preventing civilian harm and adhering to the laws of war. “It is not only an obligation to adhere to the law of armed conflict to protect civilians, it is critical to our success and competition to represent our values,” he stated during his exchange with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass).
In response to Bradley's strong commitment to protecting civilians, Warren expressed her appreciation, signifying the importance of moral accountability in military actions.
The current administration has maintained that the eleven individuals killed in the September 2 incident, along with over eighty killed in strikes across the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific Ocean, were not civilians. They argue that these individuals were classified as terrorist combatants, justifying the military's actions under self-defense grounds.
As the inquiry progresses, Admiral Bradley's decisions and the ramifications of the September 2 strikes will continue to be scrutinized, highlighting the complex intersection of military strategy, ethics, and the law of armed conflict.