Master Chief Petty Officer Fred Ballard

   

On May 8^th, 2010, I had the privilege to attend the dedication of the Summerville High School NJROTC Unit building to a great Naval Science Instructor, Master Chief Petty Officer Fred Ballard.  As a NJROTC Cadet from 1991-1995, MCPO Ballard was one of my most influential teachers through my High School career.  The “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way” motto that was posted over the building’s entrance still resonates in my ear today and has helped guide me throughout my life.  Master Chief helped shape approximately 4000 cadets in his many years of service at the SHS NJROTC unit.  Not only was he a good instructor, but he was/is a proud member of our country’s Navy.  He served on may submarine details before retiring from active duty and going into education.  As a person with a proud Navy family tradition, I am proud to call myself a cadet of Master Chief Ballard.  He and Capt. John Foster helped guide me through my High School experience and gave me some principles that I live by today.  I can still remember the “Jack Ass” medal that Master Chief would present to me when I screwed up. It was a medal with a mule facing rearward towards you looking over his shoulder.  I got that one a lot.  I also remember how he would step away from the spot light when myself and other cadets did well.  To Master Chief, it was always about the cadets.

To my relief, this sentiment has continued through to today.  Col. Davis is the new head Naval Science instructor and has made great strides to continue and expand on the traditions of the unit in which he inherited.  One of the tasks he had the current crop of cadets perform was to create scrap books of the hundreds of pictures and news paper articles from all of the past cadet classes.  I have to say that I looked pretty young back then.  Below I have some pictures from a cruise we took on a Mine Sweeper in Charleston harbor.  Boy I was a baby.

So, to all those who have had the privilege to know and be taught by Master Chief Petty Officer Fred Ballard, please help me extend sincere gratitude and appreciation for all he has accomplished.  Thank you Master Chief.  You helped shape us more than you will know.