| Michael Julian van Balen | |
| Birth Date: | 16 February 1961 |
| Birth Place: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Allegiance: | Australia |
| Branch: | Royal Australian Navy |
| Serviceyears: | 1978–2016 |
| Rank: | Rear Admiral |
| Commands: | Deputy Chief of Navy (2013–16) (2005) (2002–03) |
| Battles: | 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 (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.[1]
van Balen was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on 16 February 1961 to Adrian and Cath van Balen.[2]
van Balen joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 and graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College in 1982.[1]
van Balen has served in a various billets within the Australian naval high command and United States Navy commands.[1]
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.[1]
van Balen completed a Master of Management degree from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2001.[1] He attended the US Naval War College in 2005.[3]
| 26 January 2015 | |||
| 26 January 2005 [4] | |||
| Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps | (35–39 Years Service) | ||
| (United States) |
RADM van Balen has also been awarded the RAN's "Principal Warfare Officer" badge and the RAN's "Sea Readiness Badge".