Born in Albany, New York, Lieutenant Colonel Barnes graduated from Norwich University in May 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps the same month. Upon completion of The Basic School in January 1997, he attended the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and remained there to be assigned as an Engineer Platoon Commander, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division. After completing his 22 month tour as a platoon commander and eight months as a company executive officer, he was assigned to the Division Headquarters where he served as the Human Affairs Officer. While in the 2d MarDiv, Lieutenant Colonel Barnes completed 3 deployments supporting three different units (RCT 25, BCT 3/2 and 2d MEB).
In July 2000, then Captain Barnes was transferred to Engineer Company B, 6th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) in South Bend, Indiana where he served as the Inspector-Instructor. From January 2003, Captain Barnes and his Marines deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and were attached to 7th ESB.
In July of 2003, Captain Barnes attended the Engineer Captain Career Course (AKA The Advanced Engineer School) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
In May of 2004, Captain Barnes transferred to 8th ESB, 2d Force Service Support Group. He immediately went TAD to the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany where he worked as a counterterrorism planner. Captain Barnes returned to 8th ESB to assume command of Company C in November of 2004 and deployed with the Company to OIF 04-06.II. Upon returning from Iraq, Captain Barnes was assigned as the Future Operations Officer, G-3, 2d MLG. After three months with the Group HQ, Major Barnes deployed to CJTF-HOA in Djibouti where he served as the Deputy Engineer (CJ-34).
In April of 2007, Major Barnes transferred to the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) where he served as the MARSOC Engineer and was directly responsible for their initial ($421M) MILCON build on both coasts as well as their multi-million dollar R1/R2 program.
In July of 2011, Major Barnes transferred to the 9th ESB, 3d Marine Logistics Group where was assigned as the Battalion’s Executive Officer. In that billet, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.2. In September 2011, Major Barnes transferred to the Group Headquarters to become the Staff Secretary for BGen Nelson. In July of 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Barnes transferred to III Marine Expeditionary Force to serve as their Engineer (G-4).
In June of 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Barnes transferred to the Marine Corps Engineer School where he is currently serving as the Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Barnes’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Barnes holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Norwich University. He is married and has three children.