Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Codie Ballard hails from Jackson, Tennessee. He enlisted in the United States Navy on June 9, 2008, and completed basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Following boot camp, he attended both Navy “A” and “C” schools, entering the fleet as a Machinist’s Mate.

His enlisted sea tours include:

  • Four Fifth Fleet deployments aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) in Norfolk, VA (2008–2013)
  • Two Seventh Fleet deployments aboard USS STERETT (DDG-104) in San Diego, CA (2016–2019)
  • One Fourth Fleet and one combined Fifth/Seventh Fleet deployment aboard USS HALSEY (DDG-97) in Pearl Harbor, HI (2019–2021)

During his time aboard USS STERETT, he achieved the rank of Machinist Mate Chief Petty Officer (MMC).

While serving shore duty at the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) in San Diego from 2013 to 2016, LTJG Ballard earned an Associate’s Degree in Exercise Science from San Diego Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from National University in San Diego.

In 2021, while still aboard USS HALSEY, MMC Ballard was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated in March 2022 as an Ensign and subsequently reported to the Basic Division Officer Course in San Diego.

His first division officer tour was aboard USS PORTLAND (LPD-27), where he served as the Combat Electronics Officer, Fire Control Officer, and later as the Antiterrorism Officer under the Single Longer Tour (SLT) program. During this time, he completed a Seventh Fleet deployment aboard USS SOMERSET (LPD-25) while USS PORTLAND underwent maintenance (2023–2025). While deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), he participated in several multinational exercises, including:

  • Exercise Cobra Gold
  • Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH
  • Exercise Balikatan
  • Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia
  • Exercise Tiger Strike 2024
  • LTJG Ballard’s personal decorations include:
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (four awards)
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards)
  • Additional unit and campaign awards

He is married to Jennifer Escobar-Ballard, and together they have one child, Jaylynn Ballard.