LTC Benjamin “Ben” Barnard

LTC Benjamin “Ben” Barnard is a U.S. Army Infantry Officer and Chairperson for the Department of Military Science. LTC Barnard assumed duties as the 48th Professor of Military Science for the “Spartan Battalion” beginning in July 2026.

LTC Barnard was previously assigned to the Joint Staff J-5, Deputy Directorate Global Integration. Prior to the Joint Staff, he served as the Brigade Operations Officer for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Earlier assignments included Battalion Operations Officer, 2-508 PIR (2021-2022); Division Planner, 82nd Airborne Division (2019-2022); Brigade HHC Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) (2015-2016); Rifle Company Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) (2013-2015). Ben deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a Rifle Company Commander in 2014 and to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn as a Scout Platoon Leader and Rifle Company Executive Officer in 2010.

LTC Barnard graduated from the University of San Diego, San Diego, CA in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and was commissioned through the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School in 2008. Other educational achievements include a master’s degree in Business Administration from North Carolina State University (2016), a master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College (2019), and is a graduate from the U.S. Navy Maritime Advance Warfighter School at the U.S. Naval War College (2019).

LTC Barnard is from Great Bend, Pennsylvania and is married with two children.