Michael van Balen

Michael Julian van Balen
Error creating thumbnail: van Balen with Vice Admiral William Moran of the United States Navy, November 2013
Born	(1961-02-16) 16 February 1961 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Allegiance	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Navy
Service years	1978–2016
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	Deputy Chief of Navy (2013–16) HMAS Watson (2005) HMAS Sydney (2002–03)
Conflicts	Iraq War
Awards	Officer of the Order of Australia Commendation for Distinguished Service Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States)

Rear Admiral Michael Julian van Balen AO (born 16 February 1961) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), who served as the Deputy Chief of Navy from 2013 to January 2016.

Early life

van Balen was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on 16 February 1961 to Adrian and Cath van Balen.

Naval career

van Balen joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 and graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College in 1982.

van Balen has served in a various billets within the Australian naval high command and United States Navy commands.

He has served on board a variety of Royal Australian Navy ships including HMA ships Barbette, Brisbane, Stalwart, Stuart, Yarra, Bunbury, Derwent, Swan and the United States Navy ship USS Ranger, a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier.

van Balen completed a Master of Management degree from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2001. He attended the US Naval War College in 2005.

Honours and awards

File:AUS Order of Australia (military) BAR.svg File:Commendation for Distinguished Service (Aust) ribbon.png File:Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png

File:Iraq Medal (Australia) ribbon.png File:DFSM with Rosette x 4.png File:Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png File:Us legion of merit officer rib.png

File:AUS Order of Australia (military) BAR.svg	Officer of the Order of Australia	26 January 2015
File:Commendation for Distinguished Service (Aust) ribbon.png	Commendation for Distinguished Service	26 January 2005
File:Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png	Australian Active Service Medal
File:Iraq Medal (Australia) ribbon.png	Iraq Medal
File:DFSM with Rosette x 4.png	Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps	(35–39 Years Service)
File:Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png	Australian Defence Medal
File:Us legion of merit officer rib.png	Officer of the Legion of Merit	(United States)

RADM van Balen has also been awarded the RAN's "Principal Warfare Officer" badge and the RAN's "Sea Readiness Badge".