United States Navy Supply Corps Rear Adm. Traaen assumed command of DLA Distribution on June 25, 2010.

Traaen also assumed command of the U.S. Central Command Deployment Distribution Operations Center in Kuwait on Aug. 1, 2010. He will serve in both positions until early 2011 when he will return to the sole position of DLA Distribution commander.

Traaen is a native of Gig Harbor, Wash. He earned his commission through the Navy ROTC program graduating from the University of Washington in 1982. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia and obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration from Duke.

His sea duty assignments include duty as supply officer, USS Lewis & Clark (SSBN 644) Blue crew homeported in Charleston, S.C.; stock control officer, USS Simon Lake (AS 33) forward deployed to Holy Loch, Scotland and supply officer USS Tarawa (LHA 1) where he led logistics efforts during Operation Determined Response and the recovery efforts of the USS Cole (DDG 67). He is qualified as both a Submarine Warfare and Aviation Supply Corps officer.

Shore assignments include duty as the trident outfitting officer, priority requirements officer and database management officer, Polaris Material Office, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Charleston, S.C.; flag aide and P-3 weapon systems manager, Naval Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia, Pa.; Business and financial manager for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile Program, Command and Control Project Office PMA-281, commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Arlington, Va.; head shore detailer and director Detailing Division, Office of Supply Corps Personnel, Arlington, Va.; executive officer, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Yokosuka, Japan; director Fleet Supply, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and deputy commander for Fleet Logistics Operations, Naval Supply Systems Command, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

His flag officer assignments include assignment as chief of staff, Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, commander United States Pacific Fleet Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and vice director for Logistics the Joint Staff where he served as the Joint Staff liaison officer to USAID during Operation Unified Response.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit awards. He was the recipient of the 2005 Vice Adm. Stanley R. Arthur Award for Military Logistician of the Year.