Merrill (DD 976) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 14 text:

Lieutenant Commander Mark W. Balmert USN LCDR Balmert was born in Fort Madison. Iowa, on 24 November 1954. He was commissioned Ensign upon graduation from the University of Notre Dame in December. 1977. where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Following .Surface War are Officer School in Newport. Rhode Island. LCDR Balmert was sent to the guided mis. ' iile destroyer USS LYNDE McCORMICK (DDG-8) in San Diego. California. He remained on board for more than three years, serving as Boilers Officer. Machinery Division Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant. In 1981 LCDR Balmert was assigned to the Staff. Commander Seventh Fleet, embarked in USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-m in Yokosuka. Japan. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1982. For the next two years he worked Surface Warfare Operations and Fleet Scheduling in the Operations Department. Returning to the United States in November. 198. . LCDR Balmert was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. California. He completed his studies in June. 1985. earning a Masters of Science in .Administrative Sciences and sub-speciality code in Financial Management. In July. 1985 he was assigned as a Department Head student to Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport. Rhode Island. LCDR Balmert returned to San Diego. California in June 1986 and assumed the duties of Engineer Officer in VSS FIFE (DD- 991). He was promoted to his present grad of Lieutenant Commander in August. 1987. In July. 1988 LCDR Balmert was trans- ferred to the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk. Virginia where he was a student in Class 84. In January. 1989 LCDR Balmert reported to Headquarters. United Nations Command Combined Forces Command in Seoul. Korea, where he was a. ' isigned as a Contingency Plans Officer. In February. 1991 he returned to the United States and in May 1991 he assumed his present duties as Executive Officer m USS MERRILL (DD-976). Lieutenant Commander Balmert ' s military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Joint Services Achievement Medal and others. Lieutenant Commander Balmert is manicd to his wife Chae and has a daudUer Emilv. l.CDR Balmert

Page 13 text:

Charlie Oscar -MC! Did anyone put coin in the meter? Captain ' s Mess Captain helps the Air Det with Karoke. Smile. You ' re on Candid Camera! Commanding Officer

Page 15 text:

Til iT Tlii ' i man is mn a lKi[ipy camper! XO has PNI Mann check the hUVK lor these new arrivals 1 XO earns his reputation as the hatchet man. %4 mM- Sweepers, Sweepers, man your hrooms ... no really. here comes the XO. XO inspects flight deck berthing Executive Officer I I