Ty Burns is an American politician, educator, former law enforcement officer, and retired United States Army infantryman serving as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 35th district. Elected in November 2018, he assumed office on November 21, 2018.
Ty Burns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 35th district | |
| Assumed office November 21, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Casey |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Staci |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Oklahoma State University, Stillwater (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | 45th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
Early life and education
editTy was born in Wakita, Oklahoma to Joe Burns from Tonkawa, Oklahoma and Mona Shire from Jefferson, Oklahoma on Dec 7, 1978. Burns was raised on a farm in Grant County, Oklahoma and Pawnee County, Oklahoma. He graduated from Pawnee High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater.[1][2]
Career
editTy Dale Burns began his career in the military after graduating from Pawnee High School in May 1998. In June of that same year, he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard, 45th Infantry Brigade, "Thunderbirds", a commitment that spanned 20 years and two months until his retirement in August 2018.
Throughout his service, he had the honor of being deployed to various critical missions. In 2005, he supported the recovery efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. From 2007 to 2008, he served in the Iraq War, where he was the lead NCO of force protection on COP Apache with the 10th and 5th Special Forces Group. Then, from 2011 to 2012, Sgt First Class Burns was deployed to War in Afghanistan as a platoon sergeant for a Delta Company detachment, conducting full-spectrum operations in Laghman Province under the 45th IBCT. Fourteen Oklahomans paid the ultimate sacrifice on their deployment.
Seventeen of his 20 years were spent with Delta Company 179th Infantry Regiment , where he finished his career as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant. Although his career concluded following a disagreement with the Battalion commander, his dedication to service never wavered.
Ty completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Benning, GA, as an 11H, specializing in heavy anti-armor crew-served weapons. Ty was proud to receive the Top Gun award for his class.
Additionally, Ty spent a year in the Florida Guard as a Section Sergeant for a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) unit, earning the Florida Commendation Medal.
After his time in Afghanistan, the Sergeant Major moved him to the 179th headquarters, where Ty led the Scout Snipers and Recon Teams as their Platoon Sergeant for two years before returning to Delta Company. He dedicated countless hours to training infantrymen in combatives, heavy weapons, small arms, and troop movements to name a few.
Among the numerous honors he has received, a few stand out: Ty earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during Operation Brass Monkey in the mountains of Afghanistan on September 13, 2011, when his platoon walked into a near ambush.
All though he earned his combat infantryman badge in Iraq in 2007, he solidified it in Afghanistan completing 97 combat missions were he and his platoon were actively involved in over 21 engagements with insurgents.
Today Ty continues his service as the Representative for Oklahoma House District 35. Representative Burns will serve as the Chairman of the House A&B Finance Subcommittee and serves as Chairman for the Veterans Caucus for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.
Ty truly believes that the only reason he is here today is because of the protective hand of God.
Burns served as a sheriff's deputy for six years. He worked as a football and wrestling coach for Ponca City Public Schools. He and his wife, Staci, own and operate Far Away Ranch where they raise and sell Oklahoma Certified Beef. Burns was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in November 2018.
During the 2019–2020 legislative session, Burns served as vice chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. In the 2021–2022 session, he is chair of the House Wildlife Committee.[3] He was re-elected by default in 2020.[4]
After the 2020 United States presidential election, Burns signed a letter, along with other members of the Oklahoma Legislature, urging Oklahoma's congressional delegation to challenge the certification of the Electoral College votes.[5]
In 2024, he voted in favor of a bill that would require adults to show and ID before accessing porn sites.[6]
References
edit- ^ Burns, Ty (5 October 2018). "TY BURNS: Experience to bring people together". Stillwater News Press. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ "Ty Burns". CAIR Oklahoma. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ "Ty Burns". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ Savage, Tres (2020). "More than 40 Oklahoma legislators re-elected by default". NonDoc.
- ^ Trotter, Matt (23 December 2020). "Oklahoma House, Senate Republicans Urge Congressional Delegation to Challenge Election Result". www.publicradiotulsa.org. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ "House Votes". webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us. Retrieved 2024-03-12.