Story by: Sgt. Dale Elliott, 75th Troop Command Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Chief Warrant Officer Mark Josef Strunk of Danville, Ky. was selected as The Kentucky Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer of the year.
Strunk has served in uniform for 20 years, four of which were active duty. He deployed overseas once with the 2123rd Transportation Company in 2003. He now serves as an Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer in the Combined Support Maintenance Shop at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky.
Strunk as a young man felt a calling into patriotic service and to do something “a little different” says the Soldier. He is the son of a German immigrant and is the first in his family to serve in the United States Armed Forces.
“I really wanted to become the best I can be,” says Strunk. “Warrant Officers are required to be experts in our field. I wanted to do that and I wanted to be able to help others be the best they can be too.”
When Strunk is not working at CSMS, you can generally find him working on various home projects. “I built every home I have lived in," he said. “ I constantly need a project going on around my house.”
“Chief Strunk has been a huge asset to the 2123rd,” said Capt, Daniel Cooper, 2123rd Transportation Commander. “We have a high caliber unit and it is vital that we have very knowledgeable and capable warrant officers that can keep us running. We just couldn’t do it without him.”
Strunk is described as a very “hands on" and technically knowledgeable member of the Kentucky Guard.
“Being selected as Warrant Officer of the year is a big deal,” said Chief Warrant Officer Four Marty Castle. “Chief Strunk has earned it.”