Captain John Barnett

A native of Clearwater, Fla., CAPT Barnett graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation. He was subsequently commissioned in the United States Navy through the Merchant Marine Reserve program. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.

Afloat, Barnett has served as Communications Officer aboard USS THORN (DD 988), as Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Detachment Officer-in-Charge at Assault Craft Unit 2, as Operations Officer on USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, and as Operations and Plans Officer on the staff of Amphibious Squadron 11.  In January 2011, he reported as Executive Officer of USS TORTUGA (LSD 46), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, and assumed command in July 2012.  In August 2013, he assumed command of USS ASHLAND (LSD 48) following a hull swap with TORTUGA.  During this tour he participated in Operations Tomodachi and Damayan, disaster relief operations in Japan and the Philippines respectively.  In December 2016, Captain Barnett reported as Executive Officer of USS SAN DIEGO (LPD 22), assuming Command in June 2018.  During both command tours, Barnett’s superb crews earned the Battle “E” award and the Retention Excellence Award.  He also commanded USS GREEN BAY (LPD 20) from March to June 2020.

Ashore, Barnett has served as instructor and curriculum developer at the Surface Warfare Officer’s School in Newport, RI.  He has also completed JPME Phase I and the Naval Operational Planner’s Course at the Naval War College, and JPME Phase II at the Joint Forces Staff College.  He has also served as an operational planner in the Plans and Policy Directorate on the staff of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and on the staff of the NATO Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway.

Before coming to UW NROTC, Barnett was in command of Amphibious Squadron 1, a San Diego based squadron comprised of USS ESSEX (LHD 2), USS PORTLAND (LPD 27) and USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52).