Master Sergeant Theresa M. Billeck-Zuniga

Master Sergeant Theresa M. Billeck-Zuniga served 26 years on active duty with the United States Air Force and the Texas Army National Guard. On 22 March 1988 she enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard as a Personnel Records Specialist assigned to the 149th Personnel Services Company. During her career Master Sergeant Billeck-Zuniga obtained four Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). She served in the 49th DISCOM as an Administrative Specialist, Unit Clerk, Training NCO and Readiness NCO. She served three years as a Recruiter for HQ 3-133rd Field Artillery in El Paso, Texas and finished her career serving seven years as the Operations NCO for the 249th Main Support Battalion in Austin, Texas.
Master Sergeant Theresa Billeck-Zuniga has a record of superior achievements that enhanced the image of the Texas Military Forces throughout her career. During her career she was involved with many programs that brought attention to the Guard be it a training event, unit activity, retiree event, a family program or a deployment/homecoming ceremony. Her abilities to multi task combined with her legacy of mentoring and coaching, her creativity, and her artistic and musical abilities were a combination for success no matter what the activity. In 1996, the Adjutant General selected the Billeck family as the Texas National Guard Family of the Year for exemplifying the total family concept. From 1997 to 2000, she made the NGB honor roll achieving 44 enlistments each year, as the first female recruiter for an all-male battalion.
As a National Guard Association of Texas (NGAT) life member and member of the Board of Directors from 2001 to 2007, she served as only the second female President of the association from 2006 to 2007 and is only one of four females to receive the prestigious Minuteman award. She has served as the editor of the NGAT News Magazine for over 10 years spending countless hours searching for stories for the magazine that highlight the activities of the Texas Military Forces. Through the NGAT Silent Auction she has raised over $52,000 for scholarship to be given to members of the Texas Military Forces.
Among her numerous awards are the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with seven oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf cluster, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army National Guard Master Recruiter Badge, Career Counselor Badge, Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, the Texas Outstanding Service Medal, The Texas Medal of Merit, Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher and Order of Saint Martin.
Since her retirement she continues to serve the Soldiers and Airmen of the Texas Military Forces as the Membership Director for NGAT. Master Sergeant Billeck-Zuniga and her husband Colonel Francisco Zuniga reside in Austin, Texas.

Texas Army National Guard

2015