Ex-Troy unit officer to take charge of battalion
New York Army National Guard Maj. Todd Balog, a Saratoga Springs resident and Afghanistan veteran, will take command of the 369th Special Troops Battalion on Sunday 22, at the Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor.
Balog earned his commission as a second lieutenant through the Michigan State University Army ROTC program in August 2001 and served as an active-duty armor officer for the Army for six years.
In 2007, Balog joined the New York Army National Guard and currently serves full-time as part of the joint staff at New York National Guard Headquarters. He is currently the force development officer for the joint training and exercises division.
In 2012, Balog deployed to Afghanistan for a combat tour with = Headquarters Company, 427th Brigade Support Battalion, as a base closure team leader in Regional Command East.
In February 2013, upon his return from Afghanistan, Balog served as 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion executive officer in Troy and then was assigned to the joint staff at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.
Balog holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State and is also a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course, Scout Leader Course, Adjutant General Captains Career Course and Command & General Staff Officers Courses.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Serve Medal, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Parachutist Badge and the US Cavalry Spur Holder.
Balog and his wife, Amy, have two sons, Hyrum and Aiden.