SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- U.S. Transportation Command's Force Protection office became truly purple with addition of a Coast Guardsman.

The office now has the addition of Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Dennis Kirk that completes representation from all U.S. military services.

Kirk, a St. Louis native and former Joint Transportation Reserve Unit member, was very happy to secure another position with USTRANSCOM.

Kirk competed for the position along with several other applicants.

"An Army Sgt. 1st Class rotated early for Officer Candidate School and they had a gap for about six months. So they announced the job opening and I answered it along with some other people," said Kirk. "Based on my background with port safety and security, they brought me in."

Force Protection's plan is to create a permanent Coast Guard position within the next two to three years.

"Presently, reservists are relied upon to fill the position whenever possible," said Kirk.

The Force Protection staff's goal is to develop, coordinate, review, advise, manage and provide a current anti-terrorism and force protection strategy.

How will a full-circle joint staff aid in this mission?

"The broader the group of people helping put the word out, and working the issues, the easier it is to get that understanding," said Maj. John Denn, chief, Air Force, Force Protection Airlift Team. "So he (Kirk) brings a tremendous asset to the office with the knowledge of port security and port issues."