Rear Admiral George W. Ballance

Rear Adm. Ballance, the son of a World War II veteran, is a Yorktown, Va., native.  He attended the University of South Carolina on a Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Science and Mathematics in 1980.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an ensign in May 1980.  In addition, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1995.

After completion of Surface Warfare Officer School in 1981, he reported to the USS Saipan (LHA 2) where he served as gunnery officer and, later as, electrical officer.  In May 1983, he reported to Commander Amphibious Squadron 10 as the assistant readiness officer and, in June 1984, he resigned his regular commission and accepted a commission in the Navy Reserve (NR), first affiliating at Naval Air Station Dallas.

Significant Navy Reserve tours include deputy commander, U.S. 7th Fleet; commanding officer of NR Commander, 7th Fleet; chief staff officer, NR Commander, 6th Fleet Det. 802; Commanding Officer, NPC-49R; commanding officer, Commander Logistics Group, Western Pacific  Det. 610; commanding officer, Naval Reserve Personnel Mobilization Team 1611; executive officer, Military Sealift Command Office Korea Det. 111; commanding officer, Fltsuptra Det. 1811; executive officer, USS Pratt Det. 208, department head, NR commander, 7th Fleet Det. 111, and intelligence analyst and briefing officer, Fleet Intelligence Reserve Team, Atlantic, 867.

Ballance has attended the Senior Naval Reserve Officer’s Orientation course; Naval Reserve Advanced Management Seminar; Basic Intelligence Training course; Air Command and Staff College, Mid-Grade Surface Warfare Officer School; Military Sealift Command School; Armed Forces Staff College, and National Defense University.

Among his military decorations, Ballance has been the recipient of the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various other service medals and ribbons.  He was selected for Rear Admiral (Upper Half) on the FY2012 Promotion Board, and is currently assigned as vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, and U.S. 6th Fleet.  He is also the director, Maritime Partnership Program.

In his civilian occupation, Ballance is the president and CEO of Draeger Safety Diagnostics, Inc., based in Irving, Texas.