Maj. Gen. Joseph G. Balskus is the Military Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements (A5/8), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He assists with the development and integration of the Air Force strategy, long-range plans and operational capabilities-based requirements as well as the activities ensuring the Air Force builds and employs effective air, space and cyber forces to achieve national defense objectives.
General Balskus began his military career by joining the United States Air Force in 1979. He graduated from Officer Training School as a Second Lieutenant in 1980 with the honor of Distinguished Graduate. He was assigned as an Air Battle Manager while on Active Duty and served in Osan, South Korea; Homestead, Florida and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He was combat qualified and worked extensively with the F-4C Phantom, the F-15 Eagle, and the E3A (Airborne Warning and Control System). Following in-residence Squadron Officer School, General Balskus was assigned as an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies at The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina from 1984 to 1988. In 1990, after serving eight years on active duty and two years in the Air Force Reserves as Information Management Officer, 315th Military Airlift Wing (Associate), Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, General Balskus joined the Florida Air National Guard. General Balskus has commanded at every level with squadron, group, and state positions. He held several positions at 125th Fighter Wing and State Headquarters. Most recently he served as Commander and Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Florida National Guard. General Balskus assumed his current position as Military Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, later Strategic Plans and Requirements on Dec. 3, 2012.
EDUCATION
1976 Eastern Illinois University, Bachelor of Science, Speech Pathology, Charleston
1977 Eastern Illinois University, Master of Science, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Charleston
1999 United States Air War College, by seminar
2005 Syracuse University, National Security Management Course, Syracuse, N.Y.
2005 Joint Task Force Commander Course, Camp Dawson, W.V.
2010 Air Force Smart Operations 21, Level II Certification, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2010 John F. Kennedy School, Harvard University, Senior Executives in International Security, Cambridge, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1980 - October 1980, Bomb Directing Officer Air Weapons Controller, 6130th Tactical Control Flight, Osan Air Base, South Korea
2. October 1980 - April 1981, Operations Training Officer, 6130th Tactical Control Flight, Osan Air Base, South Korea
3. April 1981 - December 1982, Unit Tactical Air Controller, 726th Tactical Control Squadron, Homestead Air Force Base, Fla.
4. December 1982 - December 1983, Unit Operations Training Officer, 726th Tactical Control Squadron, Homestead Air Force Base, Fla.
5. December 1983 - March 1985, Deputy Director of Operations, 726th Tactical Control Squadron, Homestead Air Force Base, Fla.
6. March 1985 - May 1985, Student, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
7. May 1985 - July 1988, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 765, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.
8. August 1988 - September 1990, Administrative Management Officer, 315th Military Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C.
9. September 1990 - September 1991, Education Services Officer, 125th Mission Support Squadron, Florida Air National Guard, Jacksonville International Airport, Fla.
10. September 1991 - March 1992, Education and Training Staff Officer, 125th Mission Support Squadron, Florida Air National Guard, Jacksonville International Airport, Fla.
11. March 1992 - March 1996, Education and Training Staff Officer, Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard, Saint Augustine, Fla.
12. April 1996 - March 1997, Chief of Supply, 125th Logistics Squadron, Florida Air National Guard, Jacksonville International Airport, Fla.
13. April 1997 - March 1999, Commander, 125th Logistics Squadron, Florida Air National Guard, Jacksonville International Airport, Fla.
14. April 1999 - March 2001, Support Group Commander, Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard, Saint Augustine, Fla.
15. April 2001 - August 2006, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard, Saint Augustine, Fla.
16. September 2006 - November 2012, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Florida National Guard, also served as Commander, Florida Air National Guard, Saint Augustine
17. December 2012 - present, Military Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, later Strategic Plans and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with bronze service star
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Longevity Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Florida Cross with oak leaf cluster
Florida Distinguished Service Medal
Florida Commendation Medal
Florida Meritorious Service Ribbon
Florida Service Ribbon
Florida Active Duty Ribbon
Florida Recruiting Ribbon
Florida Retention Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1980 Distinguished Graduate Award, Officer Training School
1984 Distinguished Graduate Speaking Award, Squadron Officer School
1988 Arnold Air Society Officer of the Year, The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina
1999 - 2000 Chief of Staff Organizational Excellence Award
1999 - 2002 Treasurer, National Guard Officer Association of Florida
2003 - 2006 President, National Guard Officer Association of Florida
2006 Hall of Fame Inductee, National Guard Officer Association of Florida
2007 Honorary Chief Master Sergeant, Florida Air National Guard
2008 - 2010 Vice Chairman, Air National Guard Strategic Planning System, National Guard Bureau, Washington, District of Columbia
2011 - 2012 Chairman, Air National Guard Strategic Planning System, National Guard Bureau, Washington, District of Columbia
(Current as of October 2014)