Commanding Officer, NR NWC Support Unit

Captain Harlan received his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1988 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science.

Harlan’s initial assignment was aboard USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD-41), where he served as 2^nd Division Officer, Navigator/Admin Officer and Electronics Material Officer during two deployments to the Mediterranean and western Africa, including Operation Sharp Edge, the non-combatant evacuation operation of the American Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia in 1990.  He also participated in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations following Hurricane Hugo.   He was subsequently assigned to USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) as Battery Control Officer, participating in two counter drug operation deployments to the Caribbean. Following his sea tours, he served as Fire Control Officer and Tomahawk Instructor at Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic in Dam Neck, VA.  He transitioned to the Navy Reserve in 1995.

Harlan held a variety of assignments in the Navy Reserve including Electronics Material Officer, Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 201; Executive Officer, NR Assault Craft Unit TWO LCM-8 Det 2809; Commanding Officer, NR Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY EIGHT Det B; Training and Readiness Officer, NR United States Joint Forces Command 206; Future Operations Planner, NR Commander Second Fleet Joint Force Maritime Component Command; and Commanding Officer, NR Commander Navy Region Southeast Regional Operational Center. 

Harlan was recently mobilized with Expeditionary Strike Group TWO for a one year deployment to the CENTCOM theater as Future Plans Director of Task Forces 51 (Expeditionary Forces) / 59 (Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief) and Operations Officer of Task Force 151 (Multi-national Counter-piracy).  He currently serves as Commanding Officer, NR Naval War College Support Unit.

Harlan Earned a Master of Science in Management at Troy State University in 1995 and received a diploma from the Air Command and Staff College in 2005.

Harlan’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various other unit and campaign awards.