COL Chris Barra was born in Livingston, NJ. He is a 1989 Distinguished Graduate of West Point where he was commissioned in the Field Artillery. He was stationed with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, HI where he served as a Fire Direction Officer and a Fire Support Officer.
He has served in a number of Reserve units since he left active duty, including Personnel Officer and Recruiting Detachment Commander with the US Military Academy, Training Developer and the Deputy Chief of Knowledge Management and Leader's Lessons Learned at the 84th and later the 70th Divisions, Assistant Professor of Military Science at UCLA, Deputy Commanding Officer of the 304th Sustainment Brigade at March ARB in Riverside, CA, Commander of the 2209th Mobilization Support Battalion in Mountain View, CA and has commanded 2 Brigades over the last 3.5 years, the 653rd Regional Support Group and the 304th Sustainment Brigade. He is currently the Chief of Staff of the 311th ESC.
COL Barra deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 to 2009. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Ranger Tab, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Ribbon (w/star) and the Airborne, Air Assault and Combat Action badges. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College. He has an MBA from UCLA, a Master's of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College and a Master of Arts degree in Civil War History from American Military University (with Honors).
COL Barra and his wife Lory reside in Manhattan Beach, CA and they have two children, Tanner and London. He is a Managing Director at UBS Financial Services. He stays actively involved in his community, coaching soccer, baseball and basketball and is a Cub Scout Den Leader. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor at UCLA where he teaches American Military History one quarter each year. He has run 6 marathons and is an avid golfer.