Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Breckenkamp | Brig. Gen. James Blankenhorn speaks at his promotion ceremony at the South Carolina...... read more read more
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Imagine earning a lifetime achievement that very few people attain. This weekend Col. James A. Blankenhorn was promoted to brigadier general, counting him with the elite of less than one half of one percent of all Army officers who earn general officer rank.
Maj. Gen. Leslie J. Carroll, commanding general of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, hosted Blankenhorn’s promotion ceremony, held at the South Carolina National Guard Recruiting Center in Greenville, South Carolina.
Currently Blankenhorn serves as the deputy commanding general for the 335th Signal Command (Theater) in Atlanta. His previous assignments include the 366th Smoke Company, 413th Smoke and Decontamination Company, Task Force 310, 415th Chemical Brigade, and 310th Biological Detection Company.
His military education and training include Chemical Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Combined Arms Service and Staff School, and the United States Army War College. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, a Master’s of Science in Environmental Studies, and a Master’s of Science in Strategic Studies.
In the civilian sector, Blankenhorn is an executive vice president with URS Corporation, a San Francisco-based company that provides engineering, construction and technical services internationally to federal, oil and gas, infrastructure, power and industrial projects. He is currently assigned to the Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC in New Mexico as the deputy general manager and recovery manager for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. This plant is the nation’s only underground nuclear repository.
In his speech, Carroll expressed his gratitude toward Blankenhorn’s wife, Debbie, and son, Ryan. He made a special point to thank his 10-year-old son for his patience, understanding and support.
“Your father has been doing noble work for his country, especially when he’s called away from home,” Carroll said to Ryan. “Thank you for all your sacrifices you’ve made for your dad.”
Of all promotion ceremonies held in the military, general officer promotions are unique. Unlike any of his previous promotions, this one-star promotion earned him the general officer flag, general officer belt, and an M-9, 9mm pistol. There is one catch, though, when he received the pistol. The pistol is loaned to him upon his promotion. The loan is valid until he retires from military service, at which time he can either purchase it to keep or return it.
In his speech, Blankenhorn said that the best advice he received was from his father, a retired Army master sergeant. His father told him to “find a good senior NCO and do exactly what he tells you.”
“This promotion, honestly, is not about me,” said Blankenhorn. “It’s about serving in defense of our homeland. The strength of our nation is in our Army. The strength of our Army is in our Soldiers. I am honored and humbled at this celebration today.”
In honor of his one-star promotion, many of Blankenhorn’s family members flew from as far away as California, Florida, and Ohio to attend. His mother, Sunny Blankenhorn, flew from San Diego to be part of her son’s once-in-a-lifetime achievement.
“I would say Jim is an over-achiever, without a doubt. If he wants to do something, he’s 100 percent determined to do it,” Sunny said. “I’m very proud of him and his dedication to his work. He will continue to serve the Army because he does what he loves, and he genuinely loves to serve.”
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2014 12:40 |
| Story ID: | 144371 |
| Location: | GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 927 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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