Colonel David G. Barrett joined the Army Reserves in 2002 as a Senior Defense Counsel (SDC) with the 154th Trial Defense Services, Legal Support Organization. In 2006, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an SDC supervising trial defense counsel across Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. During his deployment Colonel Barrett defended one of the Army’s most high-profile courts-martial. Upon his return, COL Barrett served in the G3/5/7 section of Headquarters, United States Army Reserve Legal Command (USARLC), assisting with the command’s transformation from provisional status to command status. In 2010, COL Barrett was selected to serve as the Team Chief for the General Officer Support Team, directly supporting the Commanding General, USARLC and the Personnel Planning and Training Office, Office of The Judge Advocate General. COL Barrett serve as the Staff Judge Advocate, 100th Training Division (Operational Support), Fort Knox, Kentucky from 2013 to 2016.
While on active duty from 1996 - 2000, COL Barrett served in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Benning, Georgia as Legal Assistance Attorney, Administrative Law Attorney, and Trial Counsel. In 1999, he was assigned as Brigade Judge Advocate, 3rd Infantry Division, deploying for four months in Kuwait. From 2000 - 2002, COL Barrett served as a Defense Counsel, National Capital Region at Fort Meade, MD. From 2022 – 2024, COL Barrett served as the Deputy Commanding Officer (West), USARLC, supporting the Commanding General who exercises mission command over 28 Legal Operations Detachments and 1500+ Soldiers nationwide in legal operations. On May 3, 2024, he assumed command of the USARLC as the Acting Commander.
In his civilian capacity, Colonel Barrett served as Labor and Employment Attorney at Fort Meade, Maryland from 2002-2005. He joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2005 also as a Labor and Employment Attorney. In 2013, he was selected as an Associate General Counsel for NASA, a Senior Executive Service position, and was awarded the Leadership Award, the most prestigious award within the NASA legal community.
Colonel Barrett earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hofstra University in 1993. He was the distinguished military graduate in the ROTC program and was later commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Colonel Barrett requested an educational delay and earned a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law in 1996. Colonel Barrett’s military education includes the Defense Strategy Course, and the U.S. Army War College where he received a graduate degree in Strategic Studies and was also recognized as a distinguished graduate. Colonel Barrett’s numerous awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (1 Silver and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award, and the Parachutist Badge. In 2014, Colonel Barrett was recognized by the Judge Advocates Association as the Army Reserve’s Outstanding Career Armed Services Attorney.
Colonel Barrett and his wife Melissa have been married for over twenty-five years and have two children, Andrew and Caroline.