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Jennifer J. Balisle

Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J8

Vice Director for Force Structure,
Resources and Assessment (Joint Staff J-8)
  • Jennifer J. Balisle
  • Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J8
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Ms. Jennifer Balisle assumed her current role as Vice Director for the J-8 in July 2021, with responsibility for overseeing efforts to evaluate, validate, and align development of joint requirements and capabilities, conduct force structure and warfighting studies and analysis, and evaluate Department of Defense plans, programs and strategies for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This assignment is the most recent held in a diverse career serving on staffs of the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

Immediately prior, Ms. Balisle served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (N4B), a role she assumed in November 2017. In this capacity, she oversaw an annual budget of roughly $15 Billion and a portfolio spanning responsibility for the assessment, resourcing, and readiness of Shore Installations, Facilities, and Logistics to include the Auxiliary Fleet, Strategic Sealift, the Supply Chain, related business systems, and supporting energy and environmental policy.

Ms. Balisle was accepted into the Senior Executive Service (SES) in March 2015, assigned as the Deputy Director for Expeditionary Warfare (N95B) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. As such, she provided requirements oversight, adjudicated Navy and USMC integration issues, and developed and defended multi-year budgets for an annual portfolio of $9 Billion comprised of the Amphibious Fleet, Surface Connectors, Mine Warfare, Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, and Navy support to Naval Special Warfare. Prior to her appointment to SES, Ms. Balisle was the Deputy Branch Head for Amphibious Warfare (N953B) and served in the Director’s Strategic Action Group under OPNAV’s Readiness & Logistics Directorate (N4), from 2012 to 2014.

From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Balisle held two consecutive positions on the SECNAV staff to include that of Senior Analyst for the Deputy, Under Secretary of Navy, Deputy, Chief Management Officer (DUSN DCMO) where she coordinated Navy efficiency initiatives across Agencies, Services, Office of Secretary of Defense staffs, and Commands spanning Department of Navy Echelons. Additionally, she served as an Analyst for the Office of Program Appraisal (OPA) where she researched, assessed, and provided recommendations on special interest topics pertinent to Navy, USMC, and Naval equities. It was during her time at OPA that she transitioned to Civil Service after concluding a 13 year career as a Senior Manager with a local defense contracting company. In this capacity, she managed $25 Million in annual contracts.

In parallel to Ms. Balisle’s leadership role in the private sector, from 1997 to 2010, she provided direct onsite support to OPNAV Surface Warfare and OPNAV Warfare Integration Divisions. Related positions held were firmly rooted in working the technical aspects of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process and were delineated by escalating levels of responsibility. Complementing Ms. Balisle’s coordination with the acquisition community was her tenure supporting the NAVSEA Land Attack and Naval Surface Fire Support Program Offices on new technology initiatives.

Ms. Balisle is the recipient of 2 Civilian Meritorious Service Awards and 2 Civilian Superior Service Awards.