Colonel, United States Army
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE CG, FORT GORDON AND CYBER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Colonel (Ret.) Barker is a native of Jonesboro, AR. In 1985, he was commissioned through the Arkansas State University ROTC program with a reserve commission as an Army Signal Corps officer. He graduated Arkansas State in 1986 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
COL Barker was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Signal Officer Advance Course. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff College (2000), receiving an M.S. in Computer Resources and Information Technology, Webster University; the U.S. Army War College (2009)—earning a M.A. in Strategic Studies; and the U.S. Army War College Senior Leader Seminar (2014).
COL Barker’s notable assignments include Operations Officer, Theater Communications Control Cell (TCCC) (Fwd), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. As part of an eight-person Army cell operating at Khobar Towers in Dhahran the night of the Khobar Towers bombing, he was instrumental during recovery operations and the reactivation of the operations center after the terrorist attack. In 2004, he commanded the 63d Signal Battalion during combat operations in Iraq. In 2008, COL Barker was tasked to deploy to Moscow, Russia in support of a Joint Operation exercise with the Russian General Staff to develop a working relationship with Russia for future joint operations. He served as the Director, Capabilities Development Integration Division (CDID) of the Signal Center of Excellence, and was the Garrison Commander at Ft. Gordon, GA. COL Barker retired in Oct 2016 as the Chief of Staff to the Commanding General Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) and Ft. Gordon, where he was directly involved in the activation of the CCoE, Cyber School, and the new command and control, and training facilities for Ft. Gordon to support the transition to Cyberspace Operations and the move of Army Cyber Command to Ft. Gordon, GA. He proudly wore the uniform for over 30 yrs, commanding at the company, battalion, and brigade level.
His noteworthy awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), Bronze Star (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Silver OLC), Air Force Achievement Medal with “V” Device, Joint Staff Officer’s Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.
COL Barker now resides in Harrisburg, AR with his wife Barbara and two granddaughters, Kya and Aunna. He currently manages the family business, Brasco Service Inc, and spends his free time with his family, duck hunting, fishing, shooting, and serving as the family fix-it man.
