Command sergeant. Maj. Rob Istas. Photo courtesy Department of the Kansas Adjutant General

Department of the Kansas Adjutant General

Command sergeant. Maj. Rob Istas will accept authority as command sergeant major for the 35th Infantry Division in a ceremony Saturday.

The ceremony will be held at the ID 35th Headquarters, 4 Wagon Wheel Way in Fort Leavenworth. The ceremony will begin following the 35th ID Change of Command Ceremony, which begins at 1pm

In this position, Istas will advise the 35th Infantry Division commander on matters relating to the professional development, readiness, training, utilization, health, morale and welfare of the division’s soldiers.

“I am delighted to have been selected to return to the 35th Division,” Istas said. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving in this historic division and can’t wait to get started.”

Istas will replace Command Sgt. Major Steven Stuenkel as the senior enlisted leader for the division.

“My leadership philosophy has always been, work hard, train hard and play hard and you will build a cohesive team,” said Stuenkel.

Command sergeant. Maj. Rob Istas

Command sergeant. Major Rob Istas enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in February 1987 as a military police officer in the 35th Military Police Company, Topeka. In 1999, he transferred to the Kansas Regional Training Institute in Salina, where he served as an instructor for the NCO Advanced Course, NCO Basic Course, and Officer Candidate School. He also served as a teaching, assisting, and consulting (TAC) petty officer for OCS.

In July 2006, he was selected as a first sergeant in 35th MP Company and served in that role through a 2007-2008 deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In January 2010, Staff Sgt. Istas transferred to the 35th Infantry Division at Fort Leavenworth as provost marshal – operations petty officer. In the summer of 2010, Istas Interstate transferred to the Missouri National Guard and continued to serve in the 35th Division.

In July 2011, Istas was promoted to staff sergeant and transferred to the 205th MP Battalion in Poplar Bluff, Missouri as operations sergeant major. In December 2013, Istas was selected as the command sergeant major of the 203rd Engineer Battalion in Joplin. In May 2018, Istas was selected as the command sergeant major of 70th Troop Command at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

In February 2019, Istas was appointed master sergeant commanding the 35th Engineer Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In February 2022, Istas returned to the 70th Troop Command in Lebanon, Missouri as a senior enlisted chief.

Istas holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration from Washburn University.

His military training includes the Brigade Commander/Sergeant Major Pre-Command Course, Combat Engineer Battalion Pre-Command Course, US Army Sergeant Major Academy, US Army, the Battle Staff NCO Course, Small Group Leader Instructor Training Course, Advanced NCO Course, Basic NCO Course, and Primary Leadership Development Course.

Istas awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Reserve Component Achievement Medal (5th Award), The National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with device of mobilization “M” and numerous other awards and decorations.

Istas is a 28-year veteran of the Kansas Highway Patrol and is assigned as a lieutenant in charge of the Breath Alcohol Unit.

Command sergeant. Maj. Steven Stuenkel

Command sergeant. Major Steven Stuenkel enlisted in the US Army in September 1986 as a combat engineer. Lui held numerous command positions during his 36-year career, including Staff Sergeant, 35th Infantry Division, Staff Sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Engineer Brigade-Kuwait; command sergeant major, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 203rd Engineer Battalion – Afghanistan; first sergeant, B Company, 110th Engineers Combat Battalion; operations sergeant, 135th Support Detachment – Iraq; platoon sergeant, B Company, 110th Engineer Combat Battalion Corps, squad leader, C Company, 110th Engineer Battalion; and squad leader, C Company, 110th Engineer Battalion.

Stuenkel’s military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Petty Officer Course, Advanced Petty Officer Course, First Sergeant Course; Sergeant Major Course, Brigade Pre-Command Course and Air Assault Course. She is currently pursuing a BA at Columbia College.

His awards include Legion of Merit – third award, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal – third award, Army Achievement Medal – second award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, Iraq Campaign medal with one campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and numerous other awards and decorations.

In his civilian career, Stuenkel owns and operates Stuenkel Brothers Concrete Construction and Stuenkel Brothers Farms with his brother Mark.

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