Biography

Mark Barbosa was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island in 1959 in the Quonset Naval Air Station Hospital.  He graduated from Bishop Hendrickson High School in 1977 where he participated in wrestling. While at University of Rhode Island, COL Barbosa joined the Rhode Island National Guard and was assigned to the 19^th SF Group.  He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta, graduated from URI in 1982 and commissioned a second lieutenant from ROTC.  

 COL Barbosa started his active military career as a Platoon Leader in the 7^th Transportation Battalion at Ft. Bragg.  He was deployed in Operation Urgent Fury to Grenada.  In 1986, COL Barbosa became the Installation Transportation Officer for the 14 installations in the Nuremberg Germany Military Community.  He later commanded the 1^st Transportation Company.  Following his tour in Germany, COL Barbosa was selected as a JCS, J4, Intern at the Pentagon.  

COL Barbosa then was assigned to HQDA DCSOPS where he served as the Systems Integrator for Army Trucks, Army Watercraft, and DoD Rail Systems.  His next assignment was Movement Control Officer for the 24^th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.  He attended the Naval Command & Staff School earning a master’s degree.

COL Barbosa was then assigned as the Transportation assignment officer at the Army’s Total Personnel Command.  He then commanded of the 28^th Transportation Battalion in Mannheim, Germany.  In 2000, while in command, Colonel Barbosa led “Task Force Rijeka V, Operation Joint Forge, Croatia.  In 2002, he led Task Force Griffin to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo.  He returned to the US to attend the Industrial War College where he earned a second master’s degree.  After graduation, COL Barbosa was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense with oversight of the Joint Theater Support Vessel, Coalition Theater Logistics, and the Future Tactical Truck System.

In 2006, COL Barbosa assumed command of the 7^th Transportation Group at Ft. Eustis, becoming the 7^th Sustainment Brigade.  Then in 2007, he deployed the brigade to Forward Operating Base Adder in Tallil, Iraq for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing logistics for three Divisions.  During his tour, his brigade assumed the convoy security mission protecting all convoys averaging 600 vehicles to and from Forward Operating Base Cedar II to the three major logistics hubs of Taji, Balad and Baghdad.    

Colonel Barbosa’s awards include:  Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal; among other medals and ribbons; and the following badges: Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Badge, Joint Chiefs Staff Badge, and the Secretary of Defense Badge.

Upon retirement, Mark became a consultant in HQDA G4 at the Pentagon for five years.  He now divides his time between his home in Stafford, Virginia, and his farm in Bracey.  He is active in the Bracey Historical Society. He is also active in the URI Alumni Association, and the Phi Gamma Delta alumni association.  Mark is married to Charlae Smith and they have four children, Jacqueline, Marcus, Jennifer, and Michelle. His hobbies include scuba diving, hiking, making beer, model rocket building, and farming.

COL Barbosa reflects great credit on the University of Rhode Island by his outstanding leadership in command and staff positions.  He is a true professional, an outstanding mentor, and a dedicated officer whose commitment to the profession of arms brings great credit to his family and nation.