CAPTAIN GERALD R. CULLENS

ANG Services Association President

Captain Gerald R. Cullens currently serves as the commander of the 132d Services Flight of the Iowa Air National Guard, Des Moines. Captain Cullens was the Services Staff Officer from March 2000 until August 2002 when he accepted his command. Prior to his commissioning he was an enlisted Services member with the 132d SVF and the 190th SVF. He currently holds the position as the Services Company Grade Officer representative on the Services Field Advisory Council and the position of ANG representative on the Air Force Junior Services Officer Council. Captain Cullens also leads the ANG Food Service Committee.

Captain Cullens was born in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado on 25 July. He was a graduate from Goodland High School, Goodland, Kansas and received his Bachelors Degree of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas in 1994. Heart of America Restaurants and Inns employed him as Executive Chef of the Machine Shed Restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa until 1996 when he accepted a position with Aramark Business Services as a Food Production Manager. He later transferred to Kansas City where he is currently the Senior Food Service Director, Kansas City area.

Captain Cullens’ military career began July 1984 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, 7th Force Automated Support Center, 24th Marines in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a computer programmer and Platoon Sergeant until his enlistment with the 190th SVF, KS ANG in October 1991. He performed several Services functions including operating a dining facility for deployed ANG drug interdiction units in Honduras. He transferred to the 132d SVF, IA ANG in 1995 where he served in many services functions until he departed for the Academy of Military Science in March 2000. After commissioning he served as the Services’ Staff Officer before accepting command of the flight in August 2002.

Captain Cullens’ awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Air Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hour Glass, Iowa Leadership Ribbon with Torch and Small Arms Expert Ribbon with one device.

Captain Cullens is married to Michelle Richard and they have three children, Matthew, Jacob and Elizabeth. They make their home in Atchison, Kansas where Captain Cullens stays active in the Knights of Columbus and Matthew’s Cub Scout Pack.