Lieutenant Colonel Doug Bahrns was commissioned a Second Lieutenant into the Marine Corps in May 2003 following his graduation from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). 

     Lieutenant Colonel Bahrns has held positions of command that include Rifle Platoon Commander, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines; Reconnaissance and Force Reconnaissance Platoon Commander, and Company Commander, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion; and Company Commander, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.

     Lieutenant Colonel Bahrns’ staff assignments include tours as the Executive Officer, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines; Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines; Staff Officer Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA); and Operations Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

     Lieutenant Colonel Bahrns has deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Operation PHANTOM FURY, Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE (Haiti), and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  His other operational deployments include serving with BLT 1/8 on the 24th MEU, as the Force Reconnaissance Det on the 24th MEU, the Black Sea Rotational Force (BSRF), and a deployment with the 26th MEU.

     Lieutenant Colonel Bahrns holds a BA in English from VMI and a Masters in Military Studies from Marine Corps University.  His formal military education includes: The Basic School, Infantry Officer's Course, the Maneuver Captain's Career Course, the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and USMC Command and Staff Collage.