2016 Grand Marshals for the Boise Veterans Day Parade
Colonel Stephanie Sheppard and Command Sergeant Major Linda Burkhart
Colonel Stephanie Sheppard and Command Sergeant Major Linda Burkhart were named Grand Marshals for the 2016 Boise Veterans Day Parade because they are stellar examples of the humble service and dedication shown by women in uniform throughout all branches of our Armed Forces.
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Colonel Stephanie L. Sheppard
Colonel Sheppard serves as the 124th Mission Support Group Commander for the Idaho Air National Guard in Boise, ID. She leads the 124th Security Forces Squadron, 124th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 124th Force Support Squadron, 124th Civil Engineering Squadron, and the 124th Communications Flight. Through these units she provides both direct and indirect support to units of Gowen Field, the Idaho Army National Guard, Naval Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the State of Idaho Military Division and Idaho’s Bureau of Homeland Security.
 
Colonel Sheppard began her military career in 1990 as an enlisted Airman in the Idaho Air National Guard. She received her commission in 1994 through the Academy of Military Science at Knoxville, TN, becoming a traditional Personnel Officer the following year. Simultaneously, she served as the Operations Officer for the Idaho National Guard Counterdrug Support Office until selected to become a Logistics Management Officer in 1997. In 1999, she became the Commander of the Security Forces Squadron where she led the squadron during the aftermath of the Sep 11th terrorist attacks, deploying to Masirah Island Air Base, Oman. In 2004, she accepted a full-time AGR position as a Logistics Readiness Officer, leading the 124th Wing through the first Operational Readiness Inspection in 16 years. She was selected as the Idaho Air Guard’s first full-time Antiterrorism Officer in 2007 and again took command of the Security Forces Squadron deploying to Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 2008 as the Operations Officer for 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. In 2013, Col Sheppard graduated from the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. Later that same year, she became the Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander before being selected as the Mission Support Group Commander in September 2015.
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Command Sergeant Major Linda R. Burkhart
​Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Burkhart is the current Installation Support Unit of the Idaho Army National Guard Garrison Command Sergeant Major. She is responsible for advising the Garrison Commander, Idaho, on all matters impacting the enlisted force and for assessing the morale, welfare, and training of the enlisted force. She is the vital link between the commander, enlisted personnel, and support agencies.

CSM Burkhart’s career began with her enlistment in the Idaho Army National Guard as a 31U Signal Support Systems Specialist in November 1994. Since that time, she has risen through the ranks from Senior Radio Operator-Maintainer, Radio Supervisor, Platoon Sergeant, Operations NCO, and First Sergeant before being named Command Sergeant Major. CSM Burkhart has received training at locations across the country, including Camp Parks, CA; Camp Robinson, AR; Camp Williams, UT; Sacramento, CA; Oklahoma City, OK; Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Hood, TX; Camp Edwards, MA; and Boise, ID.

CSM Burkhart has received numerous awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal 3rd Award, Army Commendation Medal 3rd Award, Army Achievement Medal 4th Award, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal 6th Award, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2nd Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Idaho Governors Outstanding Unit Award, and many other commendations.