Michael van Balen
# Michael van Balen

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

| Officer of the Order of Australia | 26 January 2015 |
| - | - |
| Commendation for Distinguished Service | 26 January 2005 |
| Australian Active Service Medal | |
| Iraq Medal | |
| Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps | (35–39 Years Service) |
| Australian Defence Medal | |
| 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".

