Brigadier General 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 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--the 653rd Regional Support Group and the 304th Sustainment Brigade. His last two assignments were as the Chief of Staff of the 311th ESC and the Deputy Commanding General for Support at the 63rd Readiness Division. BG Barra is currently serving as the Commanding General of the 451st ESC in Wichita, KS.
BG Barra deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 to 2009. His awards include the Legion of Merit, 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/2 stars) 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). He is currently enrolled in the Joint and Combined Warfighters School – Hybrid.
BG Barra and his wife Lory reside in Manhattan Beach, CA and share three children, Hannah, Tanner and London. He is a Managing Director at UBS Financial Services, is actively involved in his community, and enjoys coaching soccer, baseball and basketball. He is an Adjunct Professor at UCLA where he teaches American Military History one quarter each year, has run 6 marathons, and is an avid golfer.