Kirk Junker, a 1994 graduate of Oakville Senior High School and a 1999 graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla, has been promoted by the U.S. Army to major from captain.

He is the son of Larry and Regina Junker of south county. After two combat tours in Iraq with the 2nd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis, Wash., Junker earned the Combat Action Badge and a Bronze Star.

On his second Iraq tour, he served as a combat commander in the 3rd Stryker Brigade. Junker currently is assigned to the 7th Army in Honsfeld, Germany, where he re-sides with his wife, Soiuxzie, and 9-month-old daughter Karis.