Major General Barbara R. Holcomb is a 1987 Distinguished Military Graduate of Seattle University Army ROTC where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She earned a Master's degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Kansas, a Master's level Certification in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University and a Master's in Military Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Major General Holcomb's military education includes the AMEDD Officer Basic Course, AMEDD Officer Advanced Course, Faculty Development Course, Combined Arms Services and Staff School, resident Command and General Staff College, AMEDD Executive Skills Course, Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives, Medical Strategic Leadership Program, Army War College, Army Strategic Leader Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Courses, and CAPSTONE.