Local Army Center Leader named Distinguished Honor Graduate

By Vernetta Garcia

Sgt. 1st Class James Balog as the Distinguished Honor Graduate and Leadership Award recipient on Oct. 21, 2016

Sgt. 1^st Class James Balog, Center Leader for Beaufort Army Recruiting Center, escaped the path hurricane Matthew when it hit the coast of South Carolina by attending the Senior Leaders Course at Ft. Jackson, S.C. 

On Oct. 21, 2016, he graduated the course as the Distinguished Honor Graduate and Leadership Award recipient. There was a last minute cancellation for the course a slot opened for Balog.  “Balog’s achievements are all the more impressive because he only had 48 hours to prepare before attending the course,” said his commander, the Charleston Company Commander Cpt. Stephen Fancey.

Balog started his recruiting career in at the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Cleveland in  November 2011. He quickly moved up the ranks and became the Center Leader of Beaufort Center in the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Columbia in July 2015. Balog said the three week course “was a good refresher to hone leadership skills.” He also said the course reinforced beliefs that he always tells his recruiters. "Don’t get overwhelmed, take things one day at a time, learn the (Recruiting) process, and believe in the team,” he said.

“Recruiting has its challenges, but I enjoy interacting with the community and providing a future for our students,” said Balog.