Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Paul Gorman | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Matthew Strub, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, center, presides...... read more read more
Wisconsin National Guard members, families and friends gathered at the newly renovated Memorial Chapel on Camp Williams Sept. 5, for the organization’s first official change of stole ceremony.
The event began with a chapel dedication ceremony and service, followed by the transfer of the state’s most senior chaplain leadership position to Army National Guard chaplain Lt. Col. Jonathan Robertson.
Robertson has served as a Wisconsin National Guard chaplain since 2008, including roles as both a battalion and brigade chaplain, and has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as multiple state missions. He has an advanced military and theological education, including degrees from Maranatha Baptist University and Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and is endorsed by the New Testament Association of Independent Baptist Churches. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2022 and has been recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal.
As senior chaplain, Robertson will advise Maj. Gen. Matthew Strub, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, on matters of religion, morals and morale. He is tasked to plan, coordinate and supervise religious support operations, while managing and mentoring chaplain corps personnel.
As the presiding official for the ceremony, Strub relayed his faith in the future of the chaplain corps under Robertson’s leadership, while recognizing the many contributions of outgoing Wisconsin state chaplain Col. Mark Brooks.
“Over the last three years, you have mentored, developed, trained and coached our chaplains,” Strub said of Brooks, “We are in a much stronger place now than we were three years ago because of your leadership.”
Brooks began his military career in 2002 as a chaplain candidate in the Army Reserve, before transferring to the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2005. He served as the chaplain for multiple units at the battalion and brigade level before being selected as the Wisconsin National Guard state chaplain in October 2022.
“To the chaplain corps, you are a fine group of soldiers. You and those who have gone before you have inspired me,” Brooks stated. “To Chaplain Robertson, you are the obvious choice to succeed me, and you will take the corps to places I couldn't. You’re a kindred spirit, and I'll be cheering for you all the way.”
Following the passing of the stole, Robertson addressed those in attendance as the Wisconsin National Guard’s new state chaplain, thanking his family, friends and parishioners for their unwavering support.
“I thank all of you for coming today to be a part of this,” said Robertson. “May we continue to serve our Soldiers and lead them, as our motto says, 'Pro Deo et Patria,' for God and country.”
| Date Taken: | 09.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2025 13:41 |
| Story ID: | 547791 |
| Location: | CAMP DOUGLAS, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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