Courtesy Photo | Indiana National Guard Brig. Gen. Robert D. Burke, at lectern, speaks during his...... read more read more
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Story by Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry
Indiana National Guard Public Affairs
INDIANAPOLIS -- A Knightstown resident and Indiana State Police officer reached the one-star rank of brigadier general for the military in a promotion ceremony Friday at Stout Field.
Indiana National Guard Brig. Gen. Robert D. Burke, most recently the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, received his new rank from family members and Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, Indiana's adjutant general, during the ceremony attended by scores of Hoosier Guardsmen and Indiana State Troopers.
"In any job, if you work hard and truly dedicate yourself to something higher than yourself, you can achieve some amazing results," said Burke in his ceremony speech. "But I will also say that you cannot do it alone. You can't rise to a level of success and achievement without the help of others."
Burke then thanked his family and his work families of the Indiana National Guard and State Police.
"That's why I stand before you here today, because of the amazing support, guidance, the leadership, the mentorship and friendships and just the overall team effort put forth by many of you in this room to help me achieve this promotion today," Burke said.
During the ceremony, Burke, since he is now a general officer, received his new rank shoulder boards for his jacket, epaulets for his shirt, a leather belt, a pistol and two, one-star flags.
"This is a great day for Bob and the Burke family," said Carr, who assisted with the promotion and presented the flags. "I've worked with Bob for a long time and to make it as a general officer is a big step."
Burke and Carr worked together during the 76th's 2008 deployment to Iraq, which Carr led.
Burke's father, Christopher, spoke during the ceremony and presented the leather belt. Burke's civilian boss, Superintendent Douglas G. Carter, also spoke and presented an M9 pistol.
The elder Burke, who is a retired lieutenant colonel and Vietnam War veteran, told his story of enlisting into the Army and in two weeks learned that drill sergeants made sure new soldiers were taken care of, trained properly and knowledgeable about their jobs. .
Burke saw similarities between his 1960s-era drill sergeant and his son.
"This young man is who is today because he always put his soldiers first," said Burke speaking of his son. "Just like my drill sergeant who always put his new soldiers first. His respect for his enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers is why he's here today. That's what makes me most proud."
Likewise Carter also praised Burke for his dedication to his peers, dedication to his part-time and full-time jobs, and dedication to his state and country.
"I don't think I've ever met anybody more concerned about that frontline than Bob Burke," said Carter. "He cares about that brand new guy or gal that comes out of recruit school as much as he does about someone like you or me. He cares more about his service more than himself. With all sincerity and all respect, I'm sorry for us, but I'm happy for our nation."
Burke, who has served with the Indiana National Guard and State Police since 1993 after a three-year active-duty Army tour, will move to a full-time military position overseas serving with NATO Multinational Corps - Northeast in Poland.
Indiana's newest general officer, a two-time combat veteran, also deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. In 1989, he completed his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Norwich University in Vermont and commissioned as a second lieutenant from ROTC.
Hoosier Guardsmen assigned to the 76th under Burke's 44-month reign participated in high-profile exercises including eXportable Combat Training Capability program in 2016 and Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana in 2017. Also during his tenure, the 76th was the first National Guard brigade to lead Pacific Pathways in 2018.
Burke's received the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal among many others. He's served as the 38th Infantry Division's operations officer and has commanded two battalion-sized formations.
Burke and his wife, Tina, have four children: Tyler, who deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 with the 3rd Infantry Division, Kayli, Macy and Kyle.
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| Date Taken: | 11.02.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2018 13:11 |
| Story ID: | 298957 |
| Location: | KNIGHTSTOWN, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 413 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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