Rear Adm. Brian Harding is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He enlisted in the Navy in 1988, advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 1997, and was commissioned an Ensign through Officer Candidate School in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Curriculum Development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Air War College. He assumed duties as deputy commander for U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, Joint Force Head Quarters-Cyber (Navy) in May 2026.

His operational assignments include Naval Security Group Activity Rota as executive officer and special evaluator onboard the Navy EP-3E Aries II, USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) as the Ship Systems Engineering Station division officer, Naval Information Operations Command Bahrain as executive officer and EP-3 special evaluator, U.S. 7th Fleet Staff as intelligence collection manager and cryptologic resources coordinator embarked on USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), and information warfare commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

His shore assignments include Naval Security Group Activity Menwith Hill, located in Harrogate, England; Naval Network Warfare Command, Navy Personnel Command as the Information Warfare Officer junior officer detailer; team lead for a Navy Cyber Unit in Hawaii; joint tour at Cryptologic Warfare Group Six in Fort Meade, Maryland; U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, U.S 10th Fleet as the future operations officer and N39 directorate head; and Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) as a special assistant to Commander, NAVIFOR.

His command tours include Commander Task Group 102/Navy Information Operations Command Whidbey Island; Commander, Naval Information Warfare Training Group Headquarters; Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC).

His personal decorations include Legion of Merit medal, Defense Military Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.

Last Updated: 28 May 2026