Leaders

Brigadier General Justin Mann is the Director of the Joint Staff for the Indiana National Guard. He leads the integration of strategic and joint staff issues for 11,500 Soldiers and 2,000 Airmen of the Indiana National Guard. His span of responsibility includes managing an annual budget of over $550 million, 53 armories, 2 air bases, and a maneuver training center. He ensures staff oversight and operational readiness of a Division headquarters, two air wings, five brigades, and three separate brigade-level units in the Indiana National Guard.

General Mann entered the military upon his commission as an armor second lieutenant from Purdue ROTC in 1995. COL Mann served in various leadership positions while on active duty stationed in Vilseck Germany, Fort Knox KY, Fort Riley KS and Tank and Automotive Command, Warren MI. After 8 years of active duty, he joined the Indiana National Guard as a TAC officer at the Indiana Military Academy.

Prior to his present position he served as Commander, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard. His other previous assignments were Executive Officer, 76th IBCT, Squadron Commander, 1-152nd Cavalry, Executive Officer 1-151st Infantry, Executive Officer 113th Sustainment Battalion and Assistant S3, 76th IBCT (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

He earned a bachelor’s of arts from Purdue University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. His decorations include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Colonel Chris Mabis currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Indiana Army National Guard. Col. Mabis began his military career as an enlisted Combat Engineer in 1989. He joined the Indiana Army National Guard as an Infantryman in 1992 and commissioned as an infantry officer in 1996 from Officer Candidate School.

Command assignments include Brigade Commander, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during Operation Joint Forge in Kosovo; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry and Commander, C Company, 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Other assignments include Brigade Operations Officer for 76th IBCT, Battalion Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and Battalion Administrative Officer for 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry during Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Col. Mabis also served as the J5, Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, J1, Director of Personnel, Secretary of the General Staff, Officer Strength Manager, Company Executive Officer, Mortar Platoon Leader and Rifle Platoon Leader.

Col. Mabis holds Masters Degrees from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) and the Army War College. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College.

Notable awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, the Kosovo Presidential Medal of Merit, the Italian Commemorative Cross for Foreign Peace Operations, the Indiana Distinguished Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

CW5 Ronald L. Baird Jr. was appointed as the 5th Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the Indiana National Guard (INNG) by Brigadier General R. Dale Lyles in May 2020. As the CCWO, he serves as the Senior Warrant Officer Advisor to The Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard on all matters pertaining to policies, programs, and actions impacting the warrant officer cohort, including professional development, promotions, assignments, incentives, morale, discipline, performance, strength and recruiting programs. Prior to his appointment, CW5 Baird served as the G4 Senior Maintenance Officer for the 38th Infantry Division.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, CW5 Baird earned his bachelor’s degree in General Studies, Technology Leadership and Management from Roger Williams University in 2011. He was a 2002 graduate of the Warrant Officer Candidate School, Fort Rucker, Alabama where he received his appointment. Additionally, in 2015 CW5 Baird earned a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from the Indiana Army National Guard.

CW5 Baird began his career in the Indiana Army National Guard in 1987 as a mechanic in the 1-151 Infantry Battalion. He has held multiple command and staff positions throughout his 32 years of service, to include serving as the Battalion Maintenance Technician at Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 113th Brigade Support Battalion; S4, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 113th Brigade Support Battalion; Rear Detachment Commander, Company B, 113th Brigade Support Battalion; Senior Maintenance Technician, Headquarters Indiana National Guard J4; and Senior Maintenance Officer, 38th Infantry Division, G4. Additionally, since 2009 he helped train over a thousand Warrant Officer Candidates in leadership skills at the 138th Regional Training Institute’s Warrant Officer Candidate School as Commander and Instructor.

CW5 Baird has deployed as the Battalion Maintenance Technician, Headquarters, Headquarters Company 113th Brigade Support Battalion, 76th Infantry Brigade to Afghanistan and as the G4 Senior Maintenance Officer, 38th Infantry Division to Kuwait.

Command Sergeant Major Dale A. Shetler assumed duties as the 7th Indiana National Guard Command Sergeant Major/Senior Enlisted Leader on 1 July, 2020. In his 34+ year career, he has served in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.

As State Command Sergeant Major, CSM Shetler serves as the principal enlisted advisor to the Adjutant General of Indiana, on all Soldier and Airman related matters. Together they oversee the training of approximately 15,000 Indiana National Guardsmen both in the Army and Air.

CSM Shetler’s primary focus as the senior enlisted leader is to provide leadership and guidance to ensure Soldier, Airman, and Family readiness at all times. He is also responsible for carrying out policies and setting standards for performance, training and conduct of personnel.

As the State Command Sergeant Major, he is the primary mentor for the NCOs of the state. CSM Shetler began his career in the United States Army in 1985. He deployed to Baghdad, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006‐2007 and to Kuwait for Operation Spartan Shield in 2019‐2020. He graduated from the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy in 2006 and the Nominative Leader’s Course in 2017.

CSM Shetler has held numerous positions throughout his career which include: Multichannel Radio Operator, Company C, 123rd Signal Battalion; Tactical Radio Team Chief, HHB, 4/333 Field Artillery; Communications Chief, Company A, 4/333 Field Artillery; Senior Maintenance Supervisor, Company A (Supply), 113th Forward Support Battalion; Battalion Maintenance Liaison, HHD, 113th Forward Support Battalion; First Sergeant, Company A (Supply), 738th Forward Support Battalion; First Sergeant, Company B (‐), 638th Aviation Support Battalion; Command Sergeant Major, 138th Signal Battalion; Command Sergeant Major, 190th Transportation Battalion; Command Sergeant Major, 38th Sustainment Brigade; NCOIC Agri‐Business Development Team 6‐19; Command Sergeant Major, 81st Troop Command; Command Sergeant Major, 38th Infantry Division.