Robert Burkhart is a Past Department Commander of The American Legion, Department of Indiana, having served as Department Commander in 2024–2025. He has held numerous leadership positions within The American Legion at the Post, District, and Department levels, including Post Commander, District Commander, Northern Vice Commander, Internal Affairs Commission Chairman, and District Adjutant. He has also served on numerous American Legion committees supporting veterans, youth, public safety, and Americanism programs and is a member of the National Americanism Council.
Robert is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant whose military career spanned more than 30 years of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and Indiana Army National Guard service. His assignments included service in Germany and deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as service in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and numerous other federal and state decorations.
Robert retired in March 2024 after 23 years of service to the State of Indiana, working with the Indiana Department of Correction, Indiana Office of Technology, and Indiana State Police. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams University.
In addition to The American Legion, Robert is a life member of AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Throughout his military, professional, and volunteer careers, he has remained committed to serving veterans, their families, and the communities of Indiana.
