Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Kelsea Cook Brig. Gen. Joe Gardner stands while Michelle, wife, and Grace, daughter, place new shoulder boards on his uniform during his promotion ceremony at Indiana National Guard Headquarters in Indianapolis, April 21, 2023. Gardner was selected as the 38th Infantry Division deputy commanding general for sustainment.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana National Guard has announced the new leader for the 38th Infantry Division, also known as the Cyclone Division, with subordinate units throughout the nation and headquartered in Indiana’s capital city.
Brig. Gen. Joe Gardner, who serves as the 38th ID deputy commanding general for operations, will take the division reins from Maj. Gen. Dan Degelow, who has commanded the division since January 2023.
“It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Brig. Gen. Joseph Gardner as my selection as the next 38th Infantry Division commander. Brig. Gen. Gardner possesses the requisite skills, experience and professionalism to take command of this division, comprising four brigades within Indiana and four brigades in our aligned states,” said Brig. Gen. Larry Muennich, Indiana’s adjutant general. “His dedication and service to state and nation is commendable, and I look forward to working with him in the coming years.”
For more than two years, Gardner served as a deputy commanding general. He’s led at every level from platoon to company to battalion, brigade and soon to be division. Gardner commanded the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, headquartered in Richmond, Kentucky, from 2018 to 2020, prior to his division role.
“It is an honor to be selected as the 38th ID commander, and an honor to serve the soldiers and families of the division,” said Gardner. “My mission is to build and sustain readiness to fight and win in combat and always ready to serve the adjutant general, governor and citizens of Indiana in time of crises.”
Gardner will replace Degelow who led approximately 600 Cyclone soldiers during a Middle East deployment supporting Operation Spartan Shield.
“Serving as commanding general of the 38th Infantry Division has been a tremendous honor,” said Degelow. “I wish the superb soldiers of the division continued success, and my sincerest gratitude for their unwavering support.”
