COL Eugene Palka

COL Eugene (Gene) Palka directs the Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA) and is a member of the Commandant's Staff. 

He is an Army brat and a native of West Point, New York. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 2002, where he was an Army football player, majored in human geography, and was commissioned as a field artillery officer.

After completing the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in November 2002, COL Palka was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. His initial assignment was as a company fire support officer for C Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. He deployed to Iraq with the 101st 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 Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, and subsequently served as the battery executive officer.

In May 2005, he attended the Field Artillery Captains Career Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was subsequently assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. He initially served as the squadron fire support officer for 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from October 2005 to May 2008. COL Palka deployed with 4-9 Cavalry for 15 months to Baghdad, Iraq, from October 2006 to January 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In May 2008, he assumed command of A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, and later deployed with the unit to Mosul and Kirkuk, Iraq, for 12 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From May 2010 to May 2011, COL Palka attended Columbia University as part of the Eisenhower Leader Development Program. After graduate school, he served as a company tactical officer at USMA for two years.

COL Palka attended the Command and General Staff College in 2013-14 and was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. He served as the battalion S-3 for 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, from August 2014 to June 2015 and later as its executive officer from June 2015 to May 2016. From February 2015 to November 2015, COL Palka deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and supported Operation Inherent Resolve. In May 2016, he assumed the duties over the 4th Infantry Division Artillery S-3 until June 2017.

From 2017-20, COL Palka served as a plans officer in the Training and Exercises Branch in NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, and assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, on July 24, 2020.

He commanded 2-8 Field Artillery at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, from 2020-22. Upon completion of battalion command,COL Palka assumed the duties of the 4th Regimental Tactical Officer from 2022-24. While serving as the 4th Regimental Tactical Officer, he also served as the Cadet Field Training Commander in 2023 and 2024. 

COL Palka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human geography from USMA as well as a Master of Arts degree in organizational psychology and leadership from Columbia University.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, 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, Pennsylvania, 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.