Command Sergeant Major John Ballenger is currently the State Command Sergeant Major for the State of Georgia. He was born and raised in Bowdon, Georgia and enlisted in the Active Army in 1995 as an Artilleryman in the 4-11 Field Artillery (Airborne), Fort Wainwright Alaska. CSM Ballenger transitioned into the Georgia Army National Guard and was assigned to HHC 1/108th Armor. He mobilized and deployed to S.W. Asia as a Section Sergeant in HHC 1/108th Scout Platoon in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III 05’-06’. CSM Ballenger has held all leadership positions to include the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team CSM, 1st Squadron 108th Cavalry CSM, and five First Sergeant positions. CSM Ballenger has held numerous positions to include the Georgia G3 Operations CSM, State Training NCO Georgia (G3), Battalion Operations NCO for the 3-108th CAV, Logistics NCO for the 201st Homeland Response Force, and the Branch Chief for the 122nd Regiment (RTI). CSM Ballenger also served as the 48th IBCT Brigade Operations Sergeant Major that included an XCTC, JRTC, and a mobilization to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support in 2018-2019. He has participated in numerous Federal, State, CONUS, and OCONUS operations to include 2 JRTC and 2 NTC rotations, operations in and around Africa, Scotland, Canada, France, Kuwait, Netherlands, Country of Georgia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
CSM Ballenger holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management (Magna Cum Laude) from the American Military University. He is a graduate from the U.S. Army Infantry School, Cavalry School, Artillery School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Arctic Warfare Training Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Battle Staff, as well as numerous other courses. CSM Ballenger has attended all levels of the Noncommissioned Officers PME to include the First Sergeants Course, the US Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class 41), and the Army Normative Leaders Course.
His awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (7th award), Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 Bronze Service Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Hourglass/“M”/2 Device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 6), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with numeral 3), NATO Afghanistan Medal, GA Oglethorpe Distinguished Service Medal, GA Distinguished Service Medal, GA Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), GA Commendation Medal (5th award), GA Pandemic Response Ribbon, GA Humanitarian Service Ribbon (2nd award), GA Special Operations Ribbon, GA National Guard Service Medal, GA State Active Duty Ribbon (6th award), GA National Guard Recruiting Ribbon, and the Alabama Special Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the GA Distinguished Service Unit Ribbon. CSM Ballenger has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Australian, German, Canadian, Brazilian, Netherlands, and Italian parachutist Badge, and the Polish Army Marksmanship Medal. He has also received the Order of St. George Medallion and Order of St. Maurice.
Command Sergeant Major Ballenger resides in Cartersville GA with his wife Brooke, and their two sons SPC Chandler Ballenger (GAANG) and Charlie.