38th DIVARTY welcomes Schoettmer as new commander during change of command ceremony
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Army Col. Matthew Schoettmer assumed command of the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 38th Division Artillery from Col. Jonathan Gocke during a ceremony Sept. 13.
The event marked the end of Gocke’s two-year tenure and placed Schoettmer at the helm of a growing, multi-state field artillery formation responsible for coordinating fires to support the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division.
During the traditional passing of the colors, Gocke returned the unit colors to Brig. Gen. Joseph Gardner, commanding general of the 38th ID. Gardner then passed the colors to Schoettmer, symbolizing the transfer of command authority and responsibility for the formation.
Gardner praised Gocke for his leadership of the relatively new unit.
“He was always there, always briefing his metrics, taking a unit that was still building, still receiving equipment and personnel and has done an outstanding job to turn them into professionals,” Gardner said.
The 38th DIVARTY traces its lineage to the 38th Division in 1917 and served during World War I and World War II before its inactivation in 2005. The artillery unit was reactivated Sept. 1, 2023, with its headquarters initially located in Elizabethtown. The headquarters moved to Louisville in October 2024 during Gocke’s command.
In April 2025, the 38th DIVARTY assumed administrative control of the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Regiment; and 103rd Brigade Support Battalion, marking the first time the organization had subordinate battalions since its reactivation.
Gocke said the growth represented only part of what Soldiers accomplished during his tenure. The unit increased personnel strength from 64% to 89%, moved into its new headquarters, established relationships with its higher headquarters in Indiana and conducted field training as a new unit.
“We went to the field for the first time,” Gocke said. “We live-fired artillery from the DIVARTY headquarters.”
The formation also supported the Commonwealth during Winter Storm Fern, which Gocke highlighted among the unit’s accomplishments.
“I truly believe that we answered every call, accomplished every metric, checked every box that I wanted to during my command, and we had fun doing it,” Gocke said. “How did we do that? Well, I can assure you that it was not because of me. It is due to every Soldier in the DIVARTY. It was a total team effort all focused on the common goal.”
Gocke, who assumed command Sept. 1, 2024, described leading the organization as the most rewarding assignment of his Army career.
“It has been the honor of my life to be the DIVARTY commander,” Gocke said.
As he prepared to relinquish command, Gocke told the formation that Schoettmer brought the experience needed to continue its development.
“Col. Matt Schoettmer is one of the most professional and expert artillerymen I’ve ever met,” Gocke said. “He cares deeply about the mission, the unit and, most importantly, the Soldiers in the unit.”
Gardner echoed that confidence, pointing to Schoettmer’s previous experience as a field artillery battalion commander and operations officer of the 38th ID.
“He understands fires,” Gardner said. “He’s a consummate professional.”
Schoettmer thanked the division and Kentucky National Guard leadership for the opportunity to command and recognized the Soldiers and Families who support the organization.
“It is an honor to stand with these Soldiers today,” Schoettmer said. “I am very proud and honored with the trust you’re placing in me with the stewardship of this formation.”
Schoettmer takes command of an organization whose responsibilities extend beyond Kentucky. In addition to units represented at the ceremony, he said the DIVARTY includes additional formations in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Hawaii.
“The breadth of our mission is incredible, and the responsibility that comes with it is incumbent upon all of us,” Schoettmer said to his unit.
As the 38th ID’s force field artillery headquarters, Schoettmer emphasized the gravity of the unit’s role in modern conflicts.
“The division is the Army’s unit of execution in large-scale combat operations,” Schoettmer said. “It is this formation that plans, coordinates and executes the division’s fight.”
He also reminded the formation of the pacing threats facing the nation, stressing the urgency of their mission to build readiness.
"We align through the division to First Corps in the Pacific Theater," Schoettmer said. "We do not have time to waste. We must be ready for when that call comes.”
Schoettmer emphasized that the 38th DIVARTY and the 38th Infantry Division stand ready to provide decisive cannon, rocket, and missile fires to neutralize threats and enable maneuver brigades to succeed on the battlefield.
“Our job is to continue building upon that readiness so that if the call comes and General Gardner needs us, we have Soldiers that are brilliant at the basics, that are expert in their Soldier tasks, trained and certified crews with working equipment so that we stand ready to fight tonight,” Schoettmer said. “Because that is our job.”
The ceremony concluded with Schoettmer assuming responsibility for a formation Gocke helped build during a pivotal period in its short history in Kentucky.
“The 38th DIVARTY is in amazing hands,” Gocke said. “I am even more certain that Col. Schoettmer is the right man at this moment in time for the DIVARTY.”
The Kentucky National Guard is a ready, reliable, and relevant force that remains engaged in communities across the commonwealth and deployed around the globe in support of national defense. For more information on the Kentucky National Guard, visit https://ky.ng.mil.
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