COL Kenneth J. Simurdiak was commissioned as an Engineer Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Class 14 at Camp Williams, Wisconsin on 19 August 1972. His first duty assignment was as a Platoon Leader, Company A, 724th Engineer Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Phillips, Wisconsin.

His subsequent assignments were: In the North Carolina Army National Guard: Aide-de­ camp, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Division, Raleigh, North Carolina; Aide-de-Camp, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 139th Support Center, Raleigh, North Carolina; Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, 878th Engineer Company, Henderson, North Carolina; Platoon Leader, Company C(-), 505th Engineer Battalion, Warrenton, North Carolina, and General Construction Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, Company C, 505th Engineer Battalion, Henderson, North Carolina. In the Minnesota Army National Guard: Executive Officer, Company E, 682nd Engineer Battalion, Northfield, Minnesota; Engineer Equipment Platoon Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 682nd Engineer Battalion, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Company Commander, Company E, 682nd Engineer Battalion, Hutchinson, Minnesota; Liaison Officer, S4, Assistant Division Engineer, S3, and Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 682nd Engineer Battalion, Roseville, Minnesota; Battalion Commander, 682nd Engineer Battalion, Willmar, Minnesota; Assistant Chief of Staff GS, Assistant Chief of Staff G2, and Assistant Chief of Staff G3, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Division, Rosemount, Minnesota; Division Chief, Training Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, State Area Command, St. Paul, Minnesota. His last duty assignment was served as Assistant Chief of Staff G2, 416th Engineer Command, United States Army Reserve, Darien Illinois.

His military education includes: Officer Candidate School, Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, United States Army Command and General Staff College Military Intelligence Officer Transition Course, and the Army War College.

His highest military awards include: Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 OLCs).

He is a recipient of the Medal for Merit from the State of Minnesota Department of Military Affairs, the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal from the Army Engineer Association, and the Knowlton Award from the Military Intelligence Corps Association.