Col. Norberto R. Menendez, second from left, incoming commander, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, accepts the guidon from Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, while Col. Michael T. Oeschger, outgoing commander, and incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez Jr. look on during a ceremony at Founders Field July 10, 2017. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
By Dani Johnson
Fort Carson Public Affairs Office
Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, held a change of leadership ceremony July 10, 2017, at Founders Field.
During the ceremony, Col. Norberto R. Menendez assumed command from Col. Michael T. Oeschger, and Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez Jr. assumed senior enlisted responsibilities of the unit.
“It seems like only yesterday Mike was assuming command of the newly activated DIVARTY,” said Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson. “It was a daunting undertaking, starting from scratch with 40 Soldiers, an empty building and Mike’s Harley (motorcycle) out front.
“Mike’s team made it look easy,” said the general. “I’m incredibly happy DIVARTY is back in our formation and you have put the king back on his throne.”
DIVARTY, activated at Fort Carson in 2015, is a brigade-level element responsible for overseeing all field artillery units in the division, ensuring each unit receives the same standard of training. The field artillery unit is unique in its support to the 4th Inf. Div. as it provides fires support to a balanced array of light, armored and Stryker units.
“There is a silver lining in every cloud,” said Gonsalves. “We welcome (the Menendez and Perez) Families, both are not strangers to Fort Carson, having served here before, and I know they will continue to build the foundations of success.”
Col. Norberto R. Menendez, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez Jr. stand at attention in front of the Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, formations during the change of leadership ceremony at Founders Field July 10, 2017. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
Menendez comes to Fort Carson from 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he was the assistant chief of staff for operations. His previous assignments include serving as the aide-de-camp to the commanding general, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Menendez was at Fort Carson as the operations officer for 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, then as the executive officer for 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, both under 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., where he also deployed to Iraq in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. He also served at NATO Headquarters Allied Force Command – Madrid, Spain, as a land component planner.
“This is a tremendous honor to serve in the capacity (as commander) and develop the future leaders in artillery,” the colonel said. “My goal is that in two years the artillery battalions are better than today — for me that is success — each command we take a step further.”
Oeschger assumed command of the unit in July 2015. Under his leadership the unit successfully orchestrated training for more than 2,500 Soldiers on tasks ranging from fire direction control to master gunnery.
Col. Michael T. Oeschger, outgoing commander, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, speaks at the unit change of leadership ceremony at Founders Field July 10, 2017. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
“From small beginnings come great things,” said the outgoing colonel. “Those heroes in formation are rock solid, they built a future generation and seek to be more lethal and effective.”
Oeschger’s next assignment is the Federal Emergency Management Agency regional defense coordination officer for Area North, Boston.
Perez assumes the responsibility of command sergeant major of the unit after Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Parsley departed in June to be the senior enlisted adviser for the Field Artillery Branch, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
“The importance of DIVARTY is to help grow Soldiers for 4th ID and the Army,” he said. “My goal is to provide leadership to Soldiers so they can go out and be the example of where they came from — the U.S. Army.”
Perez is a veteran of five different campaigns, including operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Spartan Shield. Perez’s previous assignments include senior enlisted adviser for the 4th Iraq Army Division, Military Transition Team, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and numerous command sergeant major positions at Fort Carson. Perez most recently was the command sergeant major, 1st Battalion, 290th Field Artillery Regiment, Camp Atterbury, Indiana.