The first commander of the Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, in nearly a decade, Col. Michael T. Oeschger addresses the battalions assembled for the assumption of command ceremony on Founders Field July 10, 2015. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams)
By Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
The 4th Infantry Division welcomed Col. Michael T. Oeschger, the new commander of the Division Artillery, 4th Inf. Div., during an assumption of command ceremony at Founders Field July 10.
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, served as the reviewing officer for the ceremony and welcomed the new commander, with whom he placed the charge of the DIVARTY colors and the Soldiers the colors represent.
“While the 4th DIVARTY has technically been activated for several weeks now, today’s assumption of command marks the official return of the DIVARTY as the division’s principal organization of fire support, integration and synchronization,” Gonsalves said. “This is a great day for this post, as we finally see the concept and goal of the 4th Inf. Div., as the only balanced division in our Army, realized.”
Oeschger and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Parsley are the division’s first artillery command team in nearly a decade.
The DIVARTY 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.
“With our 1st Stryker, 2nd Infantry and 3rd Armored brigade teams, and our 4th Combat Aviation Brigade — and as of yesterday our 4th Sustainment Brigade, and now today the 4th Division Artillery — it is a total package for the Army,” Gonsalves said.
Constituted Nov. 19, 1917, the Headquarters Battery, part of the 4th Field Artillery Brigade, served in World War I and then reconstituted and re-designated as the Division Artillery, 4th Inf. Div., for multiple campaigns in World War II and, again, later in Vietnam. This last redesignation in 1970 named the 4th DIVARTY the “Iron Gunners” and placed the mechanized field artillery unit at Fort Carson as part of the “Iron Horse” Division. With the realignment and downsizing of the Army force, the unit was reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 15, 1995, as, part of the 4th Inf. Div.
In December 2004, the transformation and restructuring of the 4th DIVARTY saw the inception of the Army’s first modular Fires brigade. On May 6 the unit was again redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, DIVARTY, and uncased its colors for the first time during a ceremony on Founders Field one week later.
Having served in a variety of field artillery assignments from company to brigade during his nearly 30 years of service, Oeschger arrives at the Mountain Post from his most recent assignment as a student at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
“Standing on this magnificent field in front of you are the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers of the best division artillery in the Army, the 4th Infantry Division’s DIVARTY,” he said to the Soldiers, Families and friends gathered for the ceremony.
“The Army recognized the importance of the DIVARTY and is bringing it back to ensure that our standards in training, certification, personnel management and development are of the highest caliber,” Oeschger said. “Our mission is to provide lethal fires to our maneuver brethren – period.”
Oeschger enlisted in the Army as an infantryman and is airborne and Ranger qualified. He served as weapons squad leader in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and a light infantry platoon leader in the North Carolina National Guard before receiving his commission as a field artillery officer.
The DIVARTY commander also recognized his battle buddy and newest friend, the DIVARTY command sergeant major and his Family.
Since entering the Army in June 1989 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Parsley has held every leadership position from section chief to command sergeant major. He also served for two years in the Navy as an aviation boatswain’s mate on board the U.S.S. Saratoga from 1992-1994, and deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Parsley most recently served as the command sergeant major for 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery, at Camp Casey, South Korea.
“These battalions have long lineages in history and have lost Soldiers fighting our nation’s conflicts,” Oeschger said. “They have been led by amazing (brigade combat team) commanders and continue to be led by the finest Armor and Infantry commanders our country can produce; and I want to personally thank each of you for taking care of them.”
He said he looks forward to building and training the best DIVARTY in the Army.
“To the Soldiers and Families of this DIVARTY, my door is always open. If you see me and have a question, then ask. I am your commander and I stand ready to serve you in any way that I can.”
Oeschger closed the ceremony with the commanding general, standing in the reviewing box for a pass in review as the DIVARTY Soldiers left the field.