Captain Kevin Barnard, USN

Captain Kevin Barnard assumed command of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) Nimitz Warfare Analysis Center in May 2025. Prior to this assignment, he served as the assistant chief of staff for Intelligence (N2) at Commander, U.S. 5^th Fleet.

A native of Vestal, New York, Barnard graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University. He served as a submarine officer for nine years before laterally transferring to the intelligence community in 2010.

Barnard’s operational tours include deploying to the North Atlantic aboard the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (SSN 708); the staff assistant intelligence officer for Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 embarked on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74); and the assistant chief of staff for intelligence (N2) for CSG 12 embarked on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Ashore, his assignments include shift engineer at Nuclear Prototype Training Unit (NPTU) in Charleston, S.C.; mission highlights officer for the submarine operational support division of Chief of Naval Operations N2 in Washington, DC; intelligence directorate support for U.S. Africa Command at Royal Air Force Molesworth in Molesworth, England; senior intelligence watch officer at the maritime operations cell watch floor for Commander, U.S. 5^th Fleet; deputy chief for collection management at ONI in Suitland, Md; and liaison officer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Joint Staff Intelligence and Defense Intelligence Agency to the United Nations in New York City, N.Y.

Barnard was designated a master training specialist while at NPTU and was recognized as the 2007 Officer Instructor of the Year. He is a recipient of the Rear Adm. Edwin T. Layton Award for Leadership and Mentorship, which recognizes outstanding leadership and mentorship in the furtherance of naval intelligence performance.