SSG Gordon L Walker
SSG Walker started his Military Career in June of 1998. He went to Ft. Benning Georgia, graduated from his Infantry Basic Training in mid-October and then immediately went to Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX to complete his Military Firefighter training. Upon completion of training at the DOD Fire Academy and receiving national certification as a Firefighter, SSG Walker was assigned to the 221st Ordnance Company in Ft Wayne IN.
While serving with the 221st, he was assigned to assist the 122nd Fighter Wing (Black Snakes F-16 fighter Squadron) in Ft. Wayne where he performed as an Army Firefighter with Air Force Firefighters. In early 2000, SSG Walker was re-assigned to the Installation Fire Department at Camp Atterbury, one of only two Army Garrison Fire departments left in the United States at the time. While serving as an Army Firefighter at Camp Atterbury, SSG Walker would again work with the Air Force, but this time as a civilian firefighter with the 181st Fighter Squadron in Terre Haute (the Racers).
In January of 2002 (only 4 months after 9/11), while working at the 181st, SSG Walker received the call to report to active duty at Camp Atterbury. SSG Walker was stationed at Camp Atterbury for Operation Enduring Freedom for the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. SSG Walker was assigned to the Camp Atterbury Fire Department as the acting Station Captain where he helped manage the Fire Department, it’s Emergency Operations and it’s daily functions.
During his time on Active Duty, SSG Walker received his first two Army Accommodation Medals. The first for helping to rebuild the Garrison Fire Department from the ground up, transforming it into a functional and operational Fire Department for the U.S. Army INARNG Camp Atterbury. His second was for orchestrating and helping to save the life of a severely injured hunter lost deep in the woods of Camp Atterbury, a rescue which stretched over many miles and long hours overnight. He also helped to train multiple firefighters and firefighting detachments who were either at or came through Camp Atterbury for deployment overseas.
In June of 2006, SSG Walker was released from active duty at his request to start his full-time job as a Professional Career Firefighter with the Wayne Township Fire Department (WTFD) located on the westside of Indianapolis. Two years after taking his full-time job he was requested to come back to Camp Atterbury on Active Duty Orders to help run the Garrison Fire Department as the Station Captain once again. Working both jobs full time he once again received his third ARCOM, this time for saving another life while on active duty. After completion of his year-long orders, he returned to normal drill status where he continued to advance his career in the military.
In 2017 SSG Walker took control as the Station Chief of the 919th Firefighting Detachment. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred into the Station Chief’s position for the 1019th Engineer Firefighting Detachment (Wolfhounds) of the 113th Engineer Battalion where he is in command of and oversees the daily operations of his Deployable FRG Firefighting Companies. He trains his unit and other units to maintain the required DOD certification level to maintain their readiness for deployment at a moment’s notice. SSG Walker also advises and assists soldiers who are interested in pursuing a career in firefighting as well as helping to transfer their National Firefighter Certifications into State of Indiana Firefighter Certifications within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Network. He continues to work full time as a professional firefighter at WTFD Engine Company 81/HAZMAT Task Force 81 (Mars Hill) located close to JFHQ for the Indiana National Guard Stout Field.
SSG Walker currently has two sons. His firstborn, Corbin Walker, is currently serving on Active duty and his second son, Broden Walker, is 3 ½ years old. During his 22 years with the Military, he has received a multitude of awards as well as several awards as a civilian Firefighter.
SSG Walker started his Military Career in June of 1998. He went to Ft. Benning Georgia, graduated from his Infantry Basic Training in mid-October, and then immediately went to Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX, to complete his Military Firefighter training. Upon completion of training at the DOD Fire Academy and receiving national certification as a Firefighter, SSG Walker was assigned to the 221st Ordnance Company in Ft Wayne IN.
While serving with the 221st, he was assigned to assist the 122nd Fighter Wing (Black Snakes F-16 fighter Squadron) in Ft. Wayne, where he performed as an Army Firefighter with Air Force Firefighters. In early 2000, SSG Walker was re-assigned to the Installation Fire Department at Camp Atterbury, one of only two Army Garrison Fire departments left in the United States at the time. While serving as an Army Firefighter at Camp Atterbury, SSG Walker would again work with the Air Force, but this time as a civilian firefighter with the 181st Fighter Squadron in Terre Haute (the Racers).
In January of 2002 (only four months after 9/11), while working at the 181st, SSG Walker received the call to report to active duty at Camp Atterbury. SSG Walker was stationed at Camp Atterbury for Operation Enduring Freedom for the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. SSG Walker was assigned to the Camp Atterbury Fire Department as the acting Station Captain where he helped manage the Fire Department, it’s Emergency Operations, and it’s daily functions.
During his time on Active Duty, SSG Walker received his first two Army Accommodation Medals. The first for helping to rebuild the Garrison Fire Department from the ground up, transforming it into a functional and operational Fire Department for the U.S. Army INARNG Camp Atterbury. His second was for orchestrating and helping to save the life of a severely injured hunter lost deep in the woods of Camp Atterbury, a rescue which stretched over many miles and long hours overnight. He also helped to train multiple firefighters and firefighting detachments who were either at or came through Camp Atterbury for deployment overseas.
In June of 2006, SSG Walker was released from active duty at his request to start his full-time job as a Professional Career Firefighter with the Wayne Township Fire Department (WTFD) located on the westside of Indianapolis. Two years after taking his full-time job, he was requested to come back to Camp Atterbury on Active Duty Orders to help run the Garrison Fire Department as the Station Captain once again. Working both jobs full time, he once again received his third ARCOM, this time for saving another life while on active duty. After completion of his year-long orders, he returned to normal drill status, where he continued to advance his career in the Military.
In 2017 SSG Walker took control as the Station Chief of the 919th Firefighting Detachment. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred into the Station Chief’s position for the 1019th Engineer Firefighting Detachment (Wolfhounds) of the 113th Engineer Battalion where he is in command of and oversees the daily operations of his Deployable FRG Firefighting Companies. He trains his unit and other units to maintain the required DOD certification level to maintain their readiness for deployment at a moment’s notice. SSG Walker also advises and assists soldiers who are interested in pursuing a career in firefighting as well as helping to transfer their National Firefighter Certifications into State of Indiana Firefighter Certifications within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Network. He continues to work full time as a professional firefighter at WTFD Engine Company 81/HAZMAT Task Force 81 (Mars Hill) located close to JFHQ for the Indiana National Guard Stout Field.
SSG Walker currently has two sons. His firstborn, Corbin Walker, is currently serving on Active duty, and his second son, Broden Walker, is 3 ½ years old. During his 22 years with the Military, he has received a multitude of awards as well as several awards as a civilian Firefighter.
SSG Walker currently has two sons. His firstborn, Corbin Walker, is currently serving on Active duty and his second son, Broden Walker, is 3 ½ years old. During his 22 years with the Military, he has received a multitude of awards as well as several awards as a civilian Firefighter.
