30 Days of Pride!

June 15: RADM James A. Barnett, USN (Ret.)

RADM Jamie Barnett notes that the his passion for civil rights was sparked when his high school was integrated during his sophomore year.  Growing up in Mississippi during the height of the civil rights movement instilled within him a respect, understanding and passion for equality.    

A 1976 graduate of the University of Mississippi, Barnett earned a commission to the U.S. Navy through the university’s NROTC program. After a three year assignment as Communications Officer on the USS Jonas Ingram, he returned to the University of Mississippi as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science. In 1982, Barnett, serving in the Naval Reserves, began pursuing his law degree, also at the University of Mississippi.

After law school, RADM Barnett went on to serve as the Commanding Officer of both, the Naval Reserve Dewey (DDG-45) and the Memphis Readiness Unit. After transferring to Naval Reserve Military Sealift Command Mideast 309, he returned to active duty to serve as Assistant Officer in Charge of the Military Sealift Command Officer, Saudi Arabia, during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. 

In 2001, he was recalled to active duty serving one year on Task Force Excel in Washington, DC. andchosen as the first Commanding Officer of the new Center for Personal Development in Dam Neck, VA.  He served on active duty as the Director of Naval Education and Training (OPNAV N17) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, leaving the U.S. Navy in 2008 after 32 years of service.  

Rather than hold a formal retirement ceremony, Barnett chose to write a “virtual” retirement in which he called for full military equality for women and LGBT service members who were at the time serving in silence under the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.  As a well respected officer, he has utilized this platform to propel the message of equality.  In his retirement he has continued that fight for equality, speaking out for LGBT service members and their families as a straight ally in public forums and the Pentagon. He most recently joined the SLDN Board  of Directors in March to continue the fight for full military equality.

RADM Barnett serves as the Chief of the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at the Federal Communications and lives in Arlington, VA with his wife Celia.