SGM Nathan A. Ballinger
SGM Ballinger hails from Marietta, Georgia. He enlisted in the Army in November 2003 as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist.
His previous duty assignments include Battery CBRN NCO, 1-12th Field Artillery Regiment; S3 NCO, 434th Field Artillery Brigade; CBRN NCOIC, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command; Command SGS NCOIC, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command; CBRN Staff NCO, 2d Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Team Leader, 82d Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Detachment Sergeant, 82d Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); First Sergeant, 62d CBRN Company, 23d CBRNE Battalion; First Sergeant, 63d CBRN Company, 2d CBRN Battalion; G35 Future Operations NCOIC, 21st Theater Sustainment Command; and G33 Current Operations Sergeant Major, V Corps.
SGM Ballinger’s military education includes Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course, Basic Combatives Course, Advanced Combatives Course, Exploitation Analysis Course – Organic, Technical Escort Course, CBRNE Senior Staff Planner Course, Mission Command Digital Master Gunner Course, Common Faculty Development – Instructor Course, Common Faculty Development – Developer Course, Distance Learning Instructor Course, Training and Education Developer Middle Manager Course, and the Senior Training and Education Manager Course.
SGM Ballinger’s civilian education includes a Master of Science in Management from Excelsior College and a Master of Science in Instructional Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation from Syracuse University.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal (4th award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Korea Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award). His badges include the Senior Army Instructor Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold). He is also a recipient of the Honorable Order of the Dragon, the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award.