Indiana National Guard, 38th ID Announce General Officer Selection

The Indiana National Guard and 38th Infantry Division announced a general officer selection yesterday.

Col. Joseph E. Gardner II, most recently the Kentucky National Guard’s chief of the joint staff, has been selected to become the 38th Infantry Division’s deputy commanding general for sustainment.

“I am grateful for the opportunity, honored to serve the soldiers of Indiana and 38th Infantry Division, and also the aligned states of Arkansas, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky,” said Gardner in a statement. “I have been associated with the Cyclone team on and off for the last 20 years, most recently as the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander from 2018 to 2020.”

Gardner, a Georgetown, Kentucky resident, has served in the military for 30 years with nearly 28 as an officer, and he’s deployed three times in support Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle.

“The Cyclone Division welcomes Col. Gardner to the team. He is a talented officer who brings a wealth of military and leadership experience,” said Brig. Gen. Dan Degelow. 38th Infantry Division commanding general. “I have the utmost confidence that Joe will make a positive, measurable impact to our sustainment operations.”

Gardner graduated from Morehead State University in 1995, and he earned his commission from the university’s ROTC program.

Since then, Gardner has led at every level from platoon to company to battalion to brigade. He’s earned many awards throughout his career including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal three times, the Army Commendation Medal twice, the Global War on Terrorism Medal for his overseas deployments, and many others.

Gardner, an avid hunter, fisher and runner, is married to his wife, Michelle, and they have a daughter, Grace, who’s a junior at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky