Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Capt. Matthew L. Gotzy, currently filling an East Africa Response Force...... read more read more
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U.S. Army Capt. Matthew L. Gotzy, currently filling an East Africa Response Force planner position, was recently selected as the Junior Officer of the Month by Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
“Matt is doing an exceptional job here - for the Task Force and for the CJ-35,” said Lt. Col. David Fittipoldi, commander, Task Force Associator, CJTF-HOA. “As you are aware, Africa can be unsettled at times. Crisis arises frequently; TFAS must be prepared and ready to respond. Matt has been critical in this process, and I am happy to share that his hard work has been recognized at the highest level.”
Task Force Associator arrived at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti with more than 1,000 service members in October 2024. This task force, comprised of soldiers from 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, provides operational security and crisis response operations in Djibouti and at outstations throughout the Horn of Africa region.
“It's certainly nice to be recognized for hard work by the commanding general of CJTF-HOA, but honestly, I'm not really any different than anyone else on TF Associator,” said Gotzy. “The whole task force puts in the work every day as a team, I just happened to be on the joint staff in a more visible position. I am glad that I get to represent TF Associator, and ultimately the 28ID on the complete opposite end of the world.”
Gotzy said the East Africa Response Force (EARF) Company has really developed as a single team devoted to rapid deployment and precise employment. He said he is glad to be their dedicated planner on the joint staff, helping them become a more effective and lethal conventional force on the continent, and to help them have a positive impact on the significant strategic objectives of CJTF-HOA.
“It's very rewarding to see them excel, despite having to live vicariously through them, I'm just a guy behind a computer,” said Gotzy.
Currently, the team is in Tanzania conducting a military-to-military exchange with the Tanzanian People's Defense Force in direct support of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Nebraska National Guard.
“Matt is just one example of the many contributions that our team is making here in Eastern Africa,” said Fittipoldi. “I am extremely proud to be a part of this team. Soldiers, like Matt and many others, are representing the PAARNG and the Iron Division very well.”
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2025 09:42 |
| Story ID: | 492540 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Pa. Guardsman selected as Junior Officer of the Month for CJTF-Horn of Africa, by SFC Zane Craig, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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