Naval Academy Hydromechanics Laboratory Staff

John G. Balano

Engineering Technician (Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering)

•  Phone:  410-293-5106
•  Fax: 410-293-5848
•  E-Mail:  balano@usna.edu
•   Rickover 048H

Education & Training

• MS, Telecommunications, Stevens Institute of Technology, 2001
• Certificate in Total Quality Management, Rutgers University, 1995
• Graduate Studies in International Relations, Harvard University, 1989
• Surface Warfare Officer’s School, Coronado, CA, 1985
• BS, Nautical Science, Maine Maritime Academy, USCG Licensed Third-Mate (Any Oceans, Any Gross Tons), 1984

Professional Experience

• Engineering Technician (Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering), Naval Academy Hydromechanics Laboratory (NAHL), Annapolis, MD, 2019 - Present
• Engineering Technician, United Stated Coast Guard, Surface Forces Logistics Center, Engineering Services Division, Curtis Bay, MD, 2015 - 2019
• Sailmaker, Chesapeake Sailmakers, 2008 - 2015
• Senior Electrician, Annapolis Boat Shows, 2002 - Present
• Executive Officer, Assault Craft Unit 0208, 1998 - 2001
• Maintenance & Repair Officer, Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 205, 1996 - 1998
• Deputy Director, Strategic Mobility & Reserve Affairs, Military Sealift Command, Atlantic, 1992 - 1995
  • Course Director, Strategic Sealift
  • Officer-In-Charge, Military Communications Department, Onboard:
    • USNS Comfort, Operation Sea Signal
    • USNS Kanawha, Operation Desert Storm
    • USNS Joshua Humpreys, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
• Executive Officer, Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center, Lawrence, MA, 1989 - 1992
• USS San Jose, AFS-7, Western Pacific & Indian Ocean, Operation Ernest Will, 1985 - 1989
  • Damage Control Officer
  • First Division Officer
  • Officer of the Deck (Underway)
  • Engineering Officer of the Watch
  • Combat Information Center Officer
  • Flight Deck Helicopter Control Officer
  • MWR Officer
• Offshore Crews, Inc., Seahorse, 1984
  • USCG Licensed Third-Mate (Any Oceans, Any Gross Tons)
  • Able-Bodied Seaman, Lifeboatman
• Lobster Fisherman, Penobscot Bay, ME, 1982 - 1983

Professional Memberships & Registration

• Qualified Engineering Officer of the Watch, United States Navy, 1987
• Qualified Surface Warfare Officer, United States Navy, 1986
• Qualified Flight Deck Helicopter Control Officer, 1986
• Certified ABS Internal Auditor, 1992
• Certified ISO Container Inspector, 1992
• Certified Boiler Water / Feed Water Tester, 1986
• Certified Gas Free Engineer, 1986
• Member, United States Naval Institute (USNI)
• Member, International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas
• Member, Order of Neptune, Shellback

Awards

• Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Four Awards
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Five Awards
• U.S. Marine Corps Marathon Completion Medal

Professional & Community Service

• Board of Directors, UUCC, Price Frederick, MD
• Santa Claus, SPCA Lights on the Bay, Sandy Point State Park, MD

Teaching Experience & Courses

• Ocean Engineering Mechanics, EN475 (Lab Instructor for Instrumentation, Spring 2021)
• Introduction to Strategic Sealift, MSC150 Course (Two-Week Course for Naval Reservists, Offered Eight Times/Year)

Research & Publications

• Research Interests:
  • Amphibious Warfare Systems
  • Tow-Tank Testing / Experimentation
  • Littoral Aquaculture Systems
  • Electronic Actuators
•  
• A. Wang, D. Fredriksson, A. Metzger, and J. Balano, "Using Scale Model Tests to Investigate Whale Impact on Horizontal Aquaculture Systems," USNA Independent Research (EN496), 2020