Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Joe Handke, U.S. Army

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Joe Handke enlisted as an Infantry Mortarman in July 1999.  In May 2004, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and received his commission as a Field Artillery Officer.

LTC Handke began his career as a company fire support officer in Charlie Company, 2-27^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  He later served as a cannon platoon leader and executive officer in Bravo Battery, 3-7^th Field Artillery Regiment, leading his platoon while deployed overseas during combat operations in Kirkuk, Iraq.  Following the Artillery Officer Advanced Course, LTC Handke returned to Hawaii to assume command of Delta Company, 2-35^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Infantry Division, commanding his company during combat operations near Samarra, Iraq.  He later commanded Bravo Battery, 3-7^th Field Artillery Regiment, 25^th Infantry Division, deploying his battery to combat operations in eastern Afghanistan. Following command, LTC Handke assumed duties at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he served as a tactical officer and later, as the executive officer to the Commandant of Cadets.  In July 2016, LTC Handke served as the battalion operations officer and executive officer for 3-16^th Field Artillery Regiment, 1^st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.  As the executive officer, LTC Handke deployed the battalion to the Republic of Korea where they served as the rotational cannon artillery battalion for the 2^nd Infantry Division’s Counter Fire Task Force.  Upon redeployment from Korea, LTC Handke assumed duties as the deputy commander for the 1^st Cavalry Division Artillery.  In September 2019, LTC Handke was selected to serve as the executive officer to the Commanding General, U.S. Army South at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  LTC Handke commanded 1-9^th Field Artillery Regiment, 3^rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia from June 2020 – June 2022, including a 5 month deployment to Europe in support of our partners and NATO allies.

LTC Handke’s military education includes the Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Joint Firepower Course, and the Command and General Staff College.  He is a graduate of U.S. Army Ranger School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, and holds the Combat Action Badge.  LTC Handke graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in German from West Point and earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University in New York City.  He is a native of Sterling, Colorado.