Rear Adm. (retired) James Arden Barnett, Jr. (Jamie) is a native of Clinton, Miss. He attended the University of Mississippi, where he was elected student body president, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1976 and a commission through the NROTC program. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law.

After commissioning and SWOS Basic, Barnett was assigned as communications officer aboard USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) in Mayport, FL. In August 1979, he returned to the University of Mississippi NROTC Unit as Assistant Professor of Naval Science, teaching Naval Engineering and Naval Weapons. Leaving active duty in 1982, Barnett affiliated with the Navy Reserve, attending the University of Mississippi Law School. He was selected as Chairman of the Moot Court Board and was named the Dean Williams Outstanding Student.

Barnett served as commanding officer of Naval Reserve (NR) Dewey (DDG-45) and commanding officer of the Memphis Readiness Unit (surface ships). He transferred to NR Military Sealift Command Mideast 309 and was recalled to active duty during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and served as the assistant officer-in-charge of the Military Sealift Command Office, Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Barnett assumed command of Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 207, Jacksonville, Fla., from October 1995 through September 1997, earning the Red “E” award. He commanded Middle East expeditionary units of the Military Sealift Command in Memphis, TN and was selected as deputy for mission effectiveness, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Four (Mid-Atlantic region).

Barnett was recalled to active duty for special work in October 2001. He served one year on the CNO’s Task Force Excel in Washington, D.C. and then was chosen as the first commanding officer of the new Center for Personal Development in Dam Neck, Virginia, his last active duty position before selection for O-7.

Barnett’s first flag assignment was deputy director of Naval Education and Training in the Pentagon (OPNAV N00T), later designated Director of Naval Education and Training (OPNAV N17). He served on the board of advisors to the Naval Postgraduate School. His next flag assignment was as the first deputy commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) in Little Creek from 2006-2008 during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. During this time, he also served briefly as Acting Deputy Director of Expeditionary Warfare and then Acting Deputy Director of Surface Warfare in the Pentagon.

Barnett retired from the Navy in 2008.

Last Updated: 19 January 2023