Rosemount Army division has new leader
Change in leadership ceremony held Saturday
Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Arnold
The Rosemount-based 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division has a new leader after a change in leadership ceremony Saturday.
Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Joel M. Arnold of Prairie du Chien, Wis., is replacing the Doug Julin, who most recently held the same title and is retiring after more than 35 years in the military.
“Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Joel Arnold has a proven track record as a leader in both Iraq and Afghanistan and I am confident in his ability to bring the division to the next level,” said Army Maj. Gen. David J. Elicerio, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division commander.
Arnold’s position is the most senior ranking of the enlisted members in the division. He will be responsible for overseeing multiple facets of readiness for the division soldiers such as: morale, welfare, discipline, performance, training, equal opportunity and promotion, according to Elicerio.
“His extensive military background will provide new ideas in advancing our priorities,” Elicerio said.
Arnold entered military service as a member of the Indiana National Guard in September of 1980. He has served on active duty in the 8th Infantry Division and the 82nd Airborne Division, as an Army Reservist with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, and as a National Guardsman in Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard for 16 years.
In April 2003, Arnold mobilized and deployed to Sinai, Egypt, as part of the Multinational Force and Observer mission. In 2005 to 2007, he deployed to Iraq as command sergeant major of the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry on a historically long deployment to Iraq with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. In 2010 he mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan as command sergeant major of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.
His military education includes Basic Airborne, Air Assault, U.S. Army Ranger Course and all levels of NCO education. He completed the non-resident sergeant major’s course in 2008.
Arnold received a bachelor of science degree in operations management from Northern Illinois University in 1989. He holds professional certificates in public accounting, management accounting, and production and inventory control.
He currently works for the 3M Company, headquartered in St. Paul.
He and his wife Dawn have three adult children, including a son who is currently serving with the U.S. Army in Germany.
– Tad Johnson
