Col. Kirk Matthew Claunch is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from University of Texas with a Bachelors in Government in 1988. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1991. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1994. He currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas where he is married to Susan Claunch and they have two sons, Matt and Jack. In his civilian profession, COL Claunch has been practicing law for over 23 years with his father and brother in Fort Worth. He is admitted to practice law in Texas, Ohio and Wisconsin. He practices civil trial and appellate law. In over 20 years of service, COL Claunch has graduated from the following military courses: Judge Advocate School Basic and Advanced Courses, Engineer Officer Advance Course (Distinguished Graduate), Combined Arms and Services Staff School, ILE- Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Advanced Operations and Warfighting Course (AOWC), Advanced Joint Professional Military Education and the Army War College Distance Education Program. COL Claunch has spent the majority of his Officer career with the U.S. Army Reserve Engineers in leadership positions to include Commander HHC 493rd EN GP, Commander C Co. 489th EN BN, Battalion S-3 489th EN BN, Executive Officer 489th EN BN, Commander 961st EN BN, Operations Officer 412th TEC, and Deputy Commander 420th EN BDE. COL Claunch’s deployment history includes Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq and Kuwait, 2003-2004 (Commander, C Co. 489th EN BN). COL Claunch’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Services Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon-Guatemala and Combat Action Badge.