I Am The American Legion: Richard Brown

“It’s so rewarding giving back to the community, to my fellow veterans and seeing the positive changes that we make in The American Legion.”

Like many young servicemembers, 31-year-old Richard Brown’s home and work lives are often a blur.

Still, the Indianapolis man is committed to The American Legion.

“I find being involved in The American Legion is very rewarding, and as such I place a high priority on my involvement,” says Brown, an honorary life member of Post 186. “It’s tough remaining on active duty in the Army National Guard, being a father to two young children, but without my wife and our support network within our family, it wouldn’t be possible to be involved to such a degree.”

Brown says he had his busiest but most rewarding Legion year in 2011-2012, when he served as commander of Indiana’s 11th District. His accomplishments included helping charter a university veterans post and a prison post, attending nearly 100 recruiting and community events for Post 186, and recruiting 50 new members, which earned him his second Gold Brigade Award. The Department of Indiana named Brown recruiter of the year. 

Legionnaires at the post, district and department levels mentored Brown along the way. “They encouraged me to stick with the Legion, to stay involved and to do my best to bring about positive change within The American Legion,” he says.

Branch of Service: Army National Guard (2001-present)
MOS: Human resources technician
Rank: Chief warrant officer 2
American Legion Post: Post 186, Indianapolis
Years in the legion: 11

Offices
- Post adjutant (2013-present)
- Post commander (2010-2012)
- District 11 commander (2011-2012)
- District 11 vice commander (2008-2011)
- National American Legion College graduate (2011)
- National American Legion College facilitator (2013)
- National Media & Communications Council member (2013-2014)
- 94th National Convention parade chairman (2012)