Education from a ship
Learning opportunities in the Navy shaped Andrew Balzer’s career.
During a 13-year career with the U.S. Navy, Andrew Balzer defended the country and ensured everything was in working order on the ship. But he also learned as much as possible.
“I took advantage of the training we were given, not only through military schooling, but with civilian and commercial licenses and certifications,” says Balzer, information technology network administrator at $890 million asset 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union in Newport News, Va. “I took advantage, and that’s why I’m sitting in the seat I am today.”
Balzer signed the papers to enlist in the Navy when he was still a junior in high school. He went to boot camp in 1999 and was assigned to the USS Briscoe, a Spruance-class destroyer, as an electronics technician. While on the ship, Balzer was in charge of making sure the radar and navigational equipment was in working order.
While docked, Balzer was stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. He also served on the USS Harry S. Truman for a year and was a part of Strike Group 8 for the Carrier Air Wing aboard the USS Eisenhower.
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