Rear Adm. Ben Baran is a native of Steubenville, Ohio. He is a 2002 graduate of Villanova University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communication and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He holds a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology and Ph.D. in organizational science from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He earned his Joint Professional Military Education from the U.S. Naval War College and Joint Forces Staff College. 

A plankowner aboard USS Preble (DDG 88), Baran served an extended tour as electrical officer and assistant chief engineer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He subsequently transferred to the Selected Reserve and served in various unit leadership roles before his transfer to the Human Resources Community in 2009 and subsequent assignment to Navy Reserve (NR) Navy Personnel Command (NPC). 

Mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Baran advised the Afghan National Police with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan from December 2012 to December 2013. He then served in leadership roles with NR units supporting U.S. Forces Japan and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N1).  

Baran’s command tours include NR Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center Detachment Charlie, NR NPC, and NR U.S. Fleet Forces Command (N1). He served on active duty from October 2021 to September 2022 with NPC’s Talent Management Task Force.

Baran’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and campaign medals and ribbons. 

His research on human resource management and related topics has appeared in numerous scholarly journals. Baran is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.
 

Last Updated: 1 October 2024