Rebuilding Warriors

Michael Barany was born and raised in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Following his graduation from Woodbridge High School in 2006, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Cavalry Scout, continuing a proud family tradition of military service; his grandfather served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, another grandfather in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and an uncle in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

After completing One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in February, 2007, Mike was assigned to 1^st Platoon, Crazy Horse Troop, 3^rd Squadron, 7^th Cavalry Regiment (3-7 CAV), part of the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In May 2007, the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team deployed to Iraq as part of the "troop surge" and serve there until August 2008.

While most of the brigade operated in southern Iraq, 3-7 CAV was detached and embedded with various commands, including the 82^nd Airborne Division, 1^st Cavalry Division, and 4^th Infantry Division. Mike primarily operated in Adhamiyah, a district of Baghdad. Mike took part in numerous high-intensity missions, including conducting patrols, QRF missions, and raids in support of key operations such as Operation Imposing Law, Operation Phantom Thunder, Operation Phantom Strike, Operation Phantom Phoenix, and the Battle of Sadr City.

Following his first deployment, Mike remained with 3-7 CAV and deployed a second time to Iraq from October 2009 to October 2010. During this tour, his unit operated throughout Mosul and the Nineveh Governorate in northwestern Iraq. This deployment marked the transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn, signifying the drawdown of U.S. combat operations.

During this time, Mike and his unit conducted patrols, QRF missions, and raids but also trained approximately 1,200 Iraqi Army soldiers, police officers, and Peshmerga forces in urban warfare and checkpoint security. They also played a key role in the closure of Forward Operating Bases (FOB) Diamondback and Marez, coordinating the transfer or destruction of military assets and equipment.

Mike was honorably discharged from the Army in February 2011. He began his academic journey at Middlesex College, earning an A.S. in Criminal Justice–Police Science in 2013. He continued his education at New Jersey City University (NJCU), where he earned a B.S. in National Security Studies in 2014, followed by an M.S. in National Security Studies with a concentration in National and Corporate Security in 2016. He went on to complete NJCU's doctoral program in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and Policy, earning his doctorate in 2019.

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Professionally, Mike has served in various national and international security roles. He worked as a National Security Researcher & Legal Assistant for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as an Armed Guard for the Department of the Army, and as a Security Focal Point for Access Strategy in Fragile States for UN Women. In this UN role, he focused on gender-based security policy, gender-responsive counter-radicalization/extremism, and the recruitment of women into military and police forces in conflict zones.

In 2018, he transitioned fully into higher education, returning to Middlesex College as a Veterans Services Assistant. His firsthand knowledge of military culture and student veteran challenges assisted his work, leading to a promotion to Military and Veterans Services Coordinator in 2019.

In October 2021, he assumed the role of Director of the Military and Veteran Success Center at Stockton University. In this position, Mike combines his military experience, academic expertise, and passion for advocacy to ensure that military-affiliated students have the support, resources, and respect they deserve throughout their educational journey.

Mike also currently serves as an adjunct professor for NJCU's Professional Security Studies program and has taught in Middlesex College's Homeland Security program, where he continues to educate and inspire future leaders in national and civil security.

Michael Barany's Awards and Decorations:

• Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 campaign stars
• Army Commendation Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
• Combat Action Badge
• Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheeled and Tracked Clasps

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Jeff Mullins
President-CEO, Rebuilding Warriors