RDML Barata serves as Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District and is responsible for Coast Guard operations spanning 26 states, including the Gulf of Mexico coastline from the Florida panhandle to United States border with Mexico, the adjacent offshore waters and outer continental shelf, and the inland waterways of the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee River systems.
His previous Flag assignment was as Commander of the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center, where he was responsible for executing the Coast Guard’s human resource policies. In this role, he led projects focused on recruiting, accessing, assigning, developing careers, maintaining well-being, compensating, separating, and retiring the nearly 45,000 members of the active duty and reserve military workforces.
RDML Barata’s prior field assignments included serving as Commanding Officer of Activities Europe, as well as tours at Sector Jacksonville, Marine Safety Office Providence, and Marine Safety Office Miami where he served for over 13 years in various capacities conducting marine safety, Office in Charge of Marine Inspection/Captain of the Port (OCMI/COTP), prevention, and incident response/emergency management missions. RDML Barata also served as the plank owner Executive Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team Boston (MSST 91110) and as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC SENECA (WMEC 906).
RDML Barata’s staff assignments include Director, Inspections and Compliance (CG-5PC), Deputy Director, Marine Transportation Systems (CG-5PW), Chief, Office of Budget and Programs (CG-82), AC&I Coordinator and Program Reviewer (CG-821), and Senior Marine Safety/Prevention Assignment Officer at the former CG Personnel Command (CGPC OPM-2).
RDML Barata is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. RDML Barata earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, RI, in 2014 and served as a Senior Military Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, DC, from 2014-2015.
RDML Barata’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (4), the Meritorious Service Medal (4), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (2), the 9/11 Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. He was selected as the Navy League Southeastern MA/RI Junior Officer of the Year in 2001.
RDML Barata is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He and his wife, Barbara have three children, James, Caroline, and Annie.