Colonel Kirk Junker

Colonel Kirk J. Junker is married to Kyong-ul “Susie” Murchison of Copperas Cove Texas. Together they have two children, Karis age 17 and Kirk age 14.

COL Junker, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, enlisted in the Army in 1993. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a Bridge Crew Member at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and served in the Missouri Army National Guard. COL Junker received his commission as a Field Artillery Officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps after receiving a Chemistry degree from the Missouri School of Science and Technology in 1999. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Captain’s Career Courses, Airborne School, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

Prior to his assignment at the Fires Future Concepts Directorate, he was the Chief of Staff for the Long-Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team. Previous non-command assignments include service as a Platoon Leader, Battery XO, and Battalion Fire Support Officer in the 1st Cavalry Division and the 2d Infantry Division; Firing Battery O/C-T and Battalion S3 O/C-T at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels Germany; Battalion S3 and XO, 2d Battalion 17th Field Artillery, 2d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division; Brigade XO and Deputy Commanding Officer, 17th Field Artillery Brigade; Director, Joint Targeting School, Joint Staff J7; Deputy Chief of Staff G3/5/7 Division East, First Army; Field Artillery Organizational Integrator Headquarters Department of the Army G3/5/7 Force Management; and Army Capability Manger, Field Artillery Brigades – Long Range Fires Battalion.

His command assignments include: 26 months as Commander, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division (Stryker), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; 24 months as Commander, 2d Battalion, 305th Regiment, Division East, First Army, Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 1 OLC, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC, the OIF and OEF Campaign Medals, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Joint Staff Service Badge.