Lieutenant Colonel Blalock graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in English and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on 26 May 1993.
Lieutenant Colonel Blalock attended The Basic School in 1994. Upon completion of The Basic School he reported for primary flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL. He was winged a Naval Aviator in June of 1996 after completing advanced jet training in Meridian, Mississippi. In July 1996 he reported to 2d MAW, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina for instruction as an AV-8B Pilot at VMAT-203.
LtCol Blalock took orders to VMA-231 in Cherry Point, North Carolina in February 1998 and served as the Administrative Officer, Schedules Officer, and S-4 Officer. In March 1999 LtCol Blalock deployed as a member of HMM-365 (REIN), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and served as the Logistics Officer, flying combat missions during Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. In July 2000, LtCol Blalock deployed with HMM-264 (REIN), again with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In May 2001, LtCol Blalock reported to VMAT-203 where he served as an Instructor Pilot, Schedules Officer, and Airframes Officer. In January 2004, LtCol Blalock reported to II Marine Expeditionary Force for duty as the Air Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
LtCol Blalock once again reported to VMA-231 in March 2006, serving as the Operations Officer and Maintenance officer during the unit’s deployment to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2008, LtCol Blalock reported to the Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic for duty as the AV-8B Harrier Class Desk.
In August 2011, LtCol Blalock reported to MCAS Cherry Point to serve as the Future Operations Officer and Airfield Operations Officer. LtCol Blalock deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar in May 2012 as an augment for MCAS Miramar’s Operation Enduring Freedom UC-35 detachment, supporting I Marine Expeditionary Force and MARCENT movements in theater.
LtCol Blalock’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, two Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.