Haney was born and raised in Washington, D.C.,[2] graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1978, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering.

Haney completed operational assignments in USS John C. Calhoun in various division officer assignments and in USS Frank Cable, where he completed surface warfare qualifications while serving as radiological controls officer.

Haney's shore duty tours include administrative assistant for enlisted affairs at Naval Reactors, and congressional appropriations liaison officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans, Policies and Requirements, U.S. Pacific Fleet (N5N8); and director, Submarine Warfare Division (N87); director, Naval Warfare Integration Group (N00X) and deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

[3] Haney assumed his assignment as Commander, United States Pacific Fleet on January 20, 2012.

[7] Haney was the 1998 Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership recipient for the Pacific fleet.