National Guard
Brigadier General JOSEPH H. GARDNER, II
  
Commander
38th Infantry Division
Indianapolis, IN
Since: September 2025
 Official Photo
SOURCE OF COMMISSIONED SERVICE  ROTC

EDUCATIONAL DEGREES
Morehead State University - BA - History
University of Maryland - University College - MSM - Management Science
United States Army War College - MSS - Strategic Studies

MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED
Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses
Chemical Officer Advanced Course
United States Army Command and General Staff College
United States Army War College

FOREIGN LANGUAGE(S)  None Recorded

PROMOTIONS DATE OF APPOINTMENT
2LT 12 May 95
1LT 21 Jul 97
CPT 11 Apr 00
MAJ 17 Aug 06
LTC 15 Dec 11
COL 25 Feb 17
BG 21 Apr 23

FROM TO ASSIGNMENT
Sep 25 Present Commander, 38th Infantry Division, Indianapolis, Indiana
Apr 24 Sep 25 Deputy Commanding General -Maneuver (DCG-M), 38th Infantry Division, Indianapolis, Indiana and Operation SPARTAN SHIELD, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan
May 20 Apr 23 Chief of Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Frankfort, Kentucky
Jun 18 Apr 20 Commander, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 38th Infantry Division, Richmond, Kentucky
Sep 17 May 18 Operations and Training Staff Officer (G3), Kentucky Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters, Frankfort, Kentucky
Oct 16 Aug 17 Mobilization Readiness Officer, Frankfort, Kentucky, and United States Army Central Command, Operation SPARTAN SHIELD, Amman, Jordan
Dec 15 Sep 16 Mobilization Readiness Officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Frankfort, Kentucky
Aug 13 Nov 15 State Training Officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Frankfort, Kentucky
Jun 12 Jul 13 Executive Officer, 75th Troop Command (Brigade), Lexington, Kentucky
Oct 10 May 12 Commander, 103rd Chemical Battalion (CERFP), Richmond, Kentucky
Jan 09 Sep 10 Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 75th Troop Command (BOE), Lexington, Kentucky
Mar 07 Dec 08 Executive Officer, 103rd Chemical Battalion, Richmond, Kentucky
Dec 06 Feb 07 Operations Staff Officer, 103rd Chemical Battalion, Richmond, Kentucky
Oct 04 Nov 06 Assistant Brigade Engineer, 206th Engineer Battalion, Harrodsburg, Kentucky and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Ill, Camp New York, Kuwait
Sep 03 Sep 04 Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 206s1 Engineer Battalion, Heavy Division, Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Mar 02 Aug 03 Commander, Charlie Company, 201st Engineer Battalion, Cynthiana, Kentucky and Operation NOBLE EAGLE, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Jun 99 Feb 02 Operations and Training Officer, Headquarters Recruiting Command, State Area Command, Frankfort, Kentucky
Mar 98 May 99 Operations and Training Officer, Detachment 1, Delta Company, 206th Engineer Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Jan 96 Feb 98 Platoon Leader, Alpha Company, 206th Engineer Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, Maysville, Kentucky

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS DATE GRADE
Deputy Commanding General -Maneuver (DCG-M), 38th Infantry Division, Operation SPARTAN SHIELD, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan Oct 24 - Jul 25 Brigadier General
Commander, 149th MEB (Military Engagement Team), US Army Central Command, Operation SPARTAN SHIELD, Amman, Jordan Oct 16 - Aug 17 Colonel
Assistant Brigade Engineer, 206th Engineer Battalion, United States Army Central Command, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Ill, Camp New York, Kuwait Dec 04 - Nov 05 Captain
Commander, Charlie Company, 201st Engineer Battalion (CBT), Operation NOBLE EAGLE, Fort Campbell, Kentucky Aug 02 - Jul 03 Captain

US DECORATIONS AND BADGES
Legion of Merit (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Global War on Terrorism-Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism-Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with 1 Silver Hourglass and M Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (with Numeral 3)
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
Parachutist Badge

 

 

As of: 23 Sep 25

 

The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.