Education
Kraft is a 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy; he earned a master's degree in political science from Auburn University and is a graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power School. He was a federal executive fellow at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (1999–2000).Career
Kraft's sea duty tours include the following: *Second VA-55 (U.S. Navy), Attack Squadron (VA) 55 embarked in , *VA-115 embarked in , and *VA-95 embarked in . He also served as executive officer on . During those tours, he participated in Operations Operation El Dorado Canyon, El Dorado Canyon, Operation Desert Storm, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom, Enduring Freedom (OEF). Kraft commanded Electronic Attack Squadron 131, Amphibious Transport Dock , the aircraft carrier , and the Carrier Strike Group Twelve, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG-12). He participated in both OIF and OEF during all four tours. He assumed command of Navy Warfare Development Command in October 2011. Shore tours for Kraft have included duty in VA-128, Air Command and Staff College, Current Operations Directorate (J31), U.S. Pacific Command, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts. After flag selection, he reported to the Pentagon, Chief of Naval Operations staff, first in N88 as head of Maritime Aviation, Unmanned Aerial Systems and Aviation Training Plans and Programs, then in N2/N6 as director, ISR Capabilities. Kraft had over 3700 hours and 1000 carrier arrested landings in the A-6E, EA-6B and F/A-18F aircraft.Corruption scandal
Kraft was implicated in a wide-ranging corruption scandal known as the "Fat Leonard scandal." Kraft and other high-ranking officials were censured for their conduct during the 2006 deployment of the USS ''Ronald Reagan''. The Navy said the officers showed "very poor judgement and leadership regarding [their] relationship with Mr. Leonard Francis, the president of Glenn Defense Marine Asia." Further statements from the Navy stated that Kraft merely underpaid after attending dinner parties. Although the Navy eventually referred the cases to the Justice Department, legal action was not pursued due to the statute of limitations.Retirement
In July 2015, he was forced to retire after 34 years of service. After retiring from the Navy, Kraft worked at General Atomics from 2015 to 2023 in senior leadership and management positions. As of 2023, he is the CEO of the USS Midway Museum, USS ''Midway'' Museum.Awards and decorations
As of 2015, Kraft is authorized to wear the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, Distinguished Flying Cross (United States), Distinguished Flying Cross (with combat V), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (United States), Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars and multiple individual and strike-flight Air Medals.References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kraft, Terry United States Navy admirals Living people United States Naval Academy alumni Auburn University alumni Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Legion of Merit 1961 births