Mike Balser is the Chief of Staff at Joint Task Force-Civil Support, the nation’s only standing CBRN response force, and has 40 years of government service.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983, and three years later was commissioned a Field Artillery officer through the Officer Candidate School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, a Master’s Degree in History from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy (Minor in Supply Chain Management) through the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (The Eisenhower School).
His most recent jobs were as GS14 Division Chief, US Army Africa (USARAF); the first Congressional Liaison for USARAF; Chief of Staff of the Army’s largest unit (the 377th Theater Sustainment Command); and the founding Director of Logistics for US Army Africa. Between military retirement and beginning work as a US Government civilian, Mike was employed by Amazon in Dallas, and performed sustainment duties on the Vinnell Arabia contract (Riyadh) supporting the Army’s Foreign Military Sales case to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mike served his first six commissioned years as an artillery officer in the 3rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, Baumholder and Mannheim, Germany. Highlights of his military career include being a Logistics Advisor to the Hajj (Western Sector), Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, and his time in Army watercraft units: as Battalion S3 of the 24th Transportation Battalion (Tactical Terminal), Fort Eustis, Virginia, and Commander, 833d Transportation Battalion, Seattle, moving DoD requirements through commercial seaports in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Joint time included being the Army Liaison to the Navy Warfare Development Command, and the airlift validator for all cargo and passengers in the CENTCOM AOR.
Mike’s decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC) and the Superior Civilian Service Medal. He and Katie have four children.