FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (May 28, 2024) — A promotion ceremony for Col. Joseph C. Goetz, 100th commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer School, is set for 11 a.m. May 30 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
Goetz will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
Goetz’s career with the Army spans 27 years, with numerous leadership positions and deployments including Operation United Response in Haiti; Operation New Dawn; and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Prior to returning to Fort Leonard Wood in July 2022, Goetz served at the Pentagon as director of the Office of the Chief of Engineers.
The following day, May 31, the U.S. Army Engineer School is scheduled to host a change of commandant ceremony at 9 a.m. on the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza.
During the ceremony, Goetz will transfer responsibilities for the Engineer Regiment to Col. Stephen Kolouch, who will become the school’s 101st commandant and chief of the Engineer Regiment.
Kolouch comes to Fort Leonard Wood after serving as the director of the Office of the Chief of Engineers at Headquarters, Department of the Army.
Goetz is slated to take command of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division in Hawaii.
Reporters wishing to cover either event should respond to the Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office at 573.563.4145 by 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 29.
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.
More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission