Colonel Shelly Lynne Philips Balderson was commissioned a Signal Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class of 6-87 on 25 June, 1987. Her first duty assignment was a Multichannel Platoon Leader, Company C, 54th Signal Battalion, 3rd Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Her notable duty assignments include: Commander, 301st Single Company, 80th Training Command, Fort Pickett, Virginia; Chief, Automation Services, 80th Training Command, Richmond, Virginia; Commander, 2-339th Regiment, Army Reserve Readiness Training Center, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Logistics Automation Officer, Joint Logistics Operations Center, United States Forces-Iraq; Chief, Multinational Affairs Branch and Exercise Planner, United States Joint Forces Command, Joint Warfighting Center, Suffolk, Virginia; Deputy Chief of Staff for Initial Military; Chief of Staff, Deputy Commanding General, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Commander, United States Army Support Activity, Fort Dix, New Jersey. Her last assignment was served as Chief of Policy, Plans, Programs and Projects, Security Assistance Training Field Activity, Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, Virginia.

Her military education consists of: Signal Officer Basic Course, Signal Officer Advanced Course, Army Systems Automation Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Defense Strategy Course, Joint Forces Staff College, Command and General Staff College, and United States Army War College.

Her highest military Awards include: Legion of Merit (2nd Award); Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award); Meritorious Service Medal with (5th Award); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and 20 year Silver Hour Glass; Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge; Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award) and Army Superior Unit Award.