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7th Fleet Reserve Detachment Gets New Skipper

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081024-02
Release Date: 10/24/2008 5:09:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles A. Isom, Jr., Navy Operational Support Center Fort Worth Public Affairs

FORT WORTH, Texas (NNS) -- Navy Reserve Commander, 7th Fleet, Detachment 111 held a traditional Navy change of command ceremony at Navy Operational Support Center Fort Worth Oct. 18.

Capt. George W. Ballance, departing commanding officer, bid a formal farewell as he was relieved by Capt. John F. Weigold IV.

"We're here today to see the sacred trust of command transferred from Captain Ballance to Captain Weigold," said Rear Adm. Robin W. Watters, Reserve Deputy and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet, who was the guest speaker of the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Watters promoted Ballance to rear admiral, lower half, and awarded him the Legion of Merit.

With a great smile of pride and "two thumbs up," Ballance recognized the command chief petty officers.

"Now here's where the rubber meets the road, because this is the finest group of management warriors of the Navy. They're an all-star team, the back-bone of the unit and the folks who truly run the Navy," Ballance said.

Ballance presented numerous personnel from Detachment 111 awards and medals. Watters and Weigold recognized each recipient as they departed the stage. After that, Cmdr. Douglas Carroll was promoted to the rank of captain.

Ballance, a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the University of Texas at Arlington, was commissioned in May 1980. During his career, Ballance was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various other service medals and ribbons.

Ballance will be assigned as Deputy Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet.

The incoming skipper, Weigold, a native of Connecticut, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1984. Following the Surface Warfare Officer (Basic) School, Weigold served on active duty aboard USS John King (DDG 3) and USS Caron (DD 970).

Upon release from active duty in 1989, Weigold joined the Navy Reserve as a drilling Reservist at the Naval and Marine Corps Readiness Reserve Center Brooklyn. Since then, he served at a variety of Reserve commands.

In June 2006, Weigold was recalled to active duty and served as assistant chief of staff for operations (N3) for Commander, Naval Forces Korea in Seoul, South Korea.

Weigold's awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various unit and individual service awards.

"I am honored, yet humbled, by my selection to assume the role as commanding officer," said Weigold. "Though this will be my sixth command, I look forward to meeting and working with you to face new challenges and opportunities in our area of responsibility."

For more news from Navy Operational Support Center Fort Worth, visit www.navy.mil/local/noscfw/.