Sergeant Major Ballate is a native of Miami, Florida. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 2002 and attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, where he earned the title "Marine". He went on to Marine Combat Training, School of Infantry (East) and then to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida where he received the military occupational specialty of Air Traffic Control Communications Technician.
His initial assignment was with Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, from 2004 to 2007. There, he deployed twice with Detachment Charlie in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2006. In March of 2007, Sergeant Ballate reported to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. There, he served as the Air Traffic Control Communications and Navigational Aids Chief.
In April of 2010, Staff Sergeant Ballate reported to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. While a part of the detachment, he served as the Air Traffic Control Communications Work Center Supervisor and as a Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative. While stationed on Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, he also served as a Corporals Course Instructor under Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.
In June of 2013, Staff Sergeant Ballate received orders to Drill Instructor duty at Parris Island, South Carolina, and was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion. After a successful special duty assignment tour, Gunnery Sergeant Ballate was assigned to Marine Air Traffic Control Schoolhouse, Aviation Maintenance Squadron 2, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida from June 2016 to May 2019. There, he served as the Training Chief and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant.
In May of 2019, First Sergeant Ballate reported to Company L, 3d Battalion 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms California. While serving as a Unit Senior Enlisted Leader, he supported Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Forces Alaska and Southwest Border. He also deployed in support of Battalion Landing Team 3/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Following his tour, he was selected to attend the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
In July of 2021, First Sergeant Ballate reported to Fort Bliss, Texas for duty at Army Sergeant Major Academy. Upon graduation he received orders to 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, Camp Pendleton, California. There, he served as a Unit Senior Enlisted Leader for Defensive Cyber Operations-Internal Defensive Measures Company from July 2022 to December 2022.
From December 2022 to October 2024, Sergeant Major Ballate was assigned as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry (West). In October of 2024, Sergeant Major Ballate reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 15, where he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader. While serving as the Sergeant Major, he deployed once again to the Southern Border, serving under the Joint Task Force as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Task Force Forge, a 500 servicemember unit that conducted engineering operations along the southern border for six months.
In July of 2026, Sergeant Major Ballate reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, where he currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Ballates' personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Workforce Development and served as an adjunct faculty member for the College of Distance Education.