Rear Adm. Mark Behning is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He also holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI program. 

His sea tours include division officer assignments aboard USS Philadelphia (SSN 690), engineer officer aboard USS Charlotte (SSN 766), executive officer aboard USS Alaska (SSBN 732). He commanded USS Nevada (SSBN 733) and USS Henry M Jackson (SSBN 730) and also served as commodore of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 17 in Bangor, Washington.

His shore tours included duty as the Tomahawk strike officer for commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; assistant force nuclear power officer for commander Submarine Forces Atlantic; deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 17; deputy for Strategic Forces, Nuclear Weapons, and Force Protection for commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Sea Based Strategic Deterrence branch head for the director of Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97); and deputy director and chief of staff for Strategic Systems Programs.

His flag assignments include duty as deputy director, Strategic Targeting and Nuclear Mission Planning, J5N, U.S. Strategic Command and he is currently serving as commander, Submarine Group 9 and commander Task Group 114.3.

He is responsible for the administrative control of assigned ships and submarine squadrons to man, train and equip Pacific ballistic and guided missile submarines, as well as exercising tactical control of assigned ballistic missile submarines conducting strategic nuclear deterrent patrols in the Indo-Pacific area of operations.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medal, as well as other unit and campaign awards.