COL Eugene Palka

COL Eugene (Gene) Palka is an Army Brat and a native of West Point, NY.  He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2002 where he was an Army Football Player, majored in Human Geography, and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer.

Upon completion of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in November 2002, COL Palka was assigned to the 101^st Airborne Division.  His initial assignment was as a Company Fire Support Officer for C/3-187 INF, 3IBCT/101^st ABN.  He deployed to Iraq with the 101^st in February 2003 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and spent the next 12 months in Baghdad, Mosul, and Tal Afar, Iraq.  Upon return to Fort Campbell, COL Palka assumed the duties of Battery Fire Direction Officer for A/3-320^th FA and subsequently served as the A/3-320^th’s Battery Executive Officer.

In May 2005, COL Palka attended the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course at Fort Sill, OK, and was subsequently assigned to the 1^st Cavalry Division.  He initially served as the Squadron Fire Support Officer for 4-9 CAV, 2ABCT/1CD from October 2005 to May 2008.  COL Palka deployed with 4-9 CAV for 15 months to Baghdad, Iraq from October 2006-January 2008 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. In May 2008, COL Palka assumed command of A/3-82 FA and later deployed with the unit to Mosul & Kirkuk Iraq for 12 months in January 2009 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

From May 2010-May 2011, COL Palka attended Columbia University as part of the Eisenhower Leader Development Program.  Upon completion of graduate school, COL Palka served as a Company Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY from May 2011-May 2013.

COL Palka attended CGSC in 2013-14 and was subsequently assigned to the 4^th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO.  He served as the Battalion S3 for 3-29 FA in 3ABCT/4ID from August 2014-June 2015 and later as its Executive Officer from June 2015-May 2016.  From February 2015-November 2015, COL Palka was deployed to Kuwait in support of OPERATION SPARTAN SHIELD and supported OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE.  In May 2016, COL Palka assumed the duties of the 4^th Infantry Division Artillery S3 until June 2017. 

From 2017-2020 COL Palka served as a plans officer in the Training and Exercises Branch in NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) in Norfolk, VA from 2017-2020, and assumed command of 2-8 Field Artillery, AUTOMATIC! On 24 July 2020.

COL Palka commanded 2-8 Field Artillery at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in the 1^st IBCT, 11^th ABN DIV from 2020-2022. Upon completion of Battalion Command, COL Palka assumed the duties of the 4^th Regimental Tactical Officer from 2022-2024.  While serving as the 4^th REG RTO, COL Palka also served as the Cadet Field Training Commander in 2023 and 2024. COL Palka currently serves as the Director of Cadet Activities.

COL Palka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Geography from the United States Military Academy as well as Master of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology & Leadership from Columbia University.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal w/2 OLC, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal w/6 OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/4 OLC, the Army Achievement Medal w/3 OLC, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Ribbon. He is also authorized to wear the Combat Action Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

He is married to the former Melissa Kalinowski of Hazelton, PA, who is a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a specialty as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. They have four children, Maliyah (15), Hunter (14), Brock (12), and Axel (9).