Goetz Relinquishes Command of USACE Pacific Ocean Division

Army Brig. Gen. Joseph “Clete” Goetz II relinquished command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Pacific Ocean Division on Aug. 24, stepping down as the 35th commander and division engineer.

During his tenure, Goetz was responsible for a diverse mission spanning 16 time zones and covering 52% of the Earth’s surface. The division oversees four engineer districts located in Alaska, the Far East, Honolulu and Japan.

Maj. Gen. Kirk E. Gibbs, deputy commanding general of USACE headquarters, presided over the ceremony.

“During Clete’s time in command, more than 1,600 teammates across those four districts managed a program valued at more than $13 billion. And they delivered,” Gibbs said. “You are a superb leader and an exceptional human being. I’m proud of what you and this division accomplished over the last two years.”

For Goetz, leaving the division and Hawaii is bittersweet. He noted his love for surfing and experiencing local cuisines in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Laos as part of the division's Interagency and International Services. However, he emphasized that his greatest joy was serving as the commander.

“Pacific Ocean Division, you are my people!” Goetz told the attendees.

He also shared his philosophy on what makes a mission thrive.

“On a Corps project, you really need three things to be successful, and it isn’t money, money, and money. Money is the easy part,” Goetz said. “You need the Corps, an engaged customer, and industry partners to do it with. If you have all three, you will win.”

Goetz recalled several recent successes under his command. He highlighted 2026 as an eventful year for disaster response, noting that the Honolulu District deployed more than 500 personnel atitspeak to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands followingTyphoonsSinlaku and Bavi.

Additionally, he praised the Alaska District for preventing catastrophic flooding in Juneau for the second consecutive year.

Goetz also recognized the division’s host-nation construction program for the Japan and Far East Districts, which builds allied-funded facilities in Japan and Korea, as one of their largest and most important initiatives.

“This division does this so that we can operate, live, fight and win. It just works,” Goetz said. “Thanks for being there when I needed you. Working with and alongside you, this is a privilege that I will forever cherish.”

He concluded the ceremony by thanking his family - Beth, Ben, Charlie and Addy.

"My entire career they’ve been on this ride with me, so that I can do what I love," he said.