Steven A. Tansel is Indiana’s newest Detachment Commander of the Sons of The American Legion. He was elected unanimously during the Detachment’s 46th Annual Convention held in Merrillville, Indiana on June 26, 27 and 28, 2009.

Commander Tansel’s eligibility for membership was established by his grandfathers, William A. Tansel and LeRoy N. Harris, who died subsequent to their honorable service in the United States Army during World War II. The new Commander is a member of Speedway Squadron 500 situated in the state’s 11th District. He is a 20 year member of the Sons of The American Legion. In the years prior his election, Steve served in several key leadership positions at the Squadron, District, and Detachment levels, most recently serving as Squadron Commander, District Adjutant, and Detachment Finance Officer. In past years he has also served as Detachment Historian, Detachment Southern Vice Commander and several chairmanship positions, including the Detachment Americanism Commission.

In addition to his membership in the S.A.L., Steve is an 18 year member of Martinsville American Legion Post 230 situated in the 7th District, earning his eligibility for membership in The American Legion through his own honorable service in the United States Army as a Desert Storm era veteran. He is a Past Post Adjutant of Martinsville Post 230 and is a Past 7th District American Legion Vice Commander.

Indiana’s new Commander is currently a senior member of the Indiana Army National Guard, having served nearly 22 years. In July of 2007, he attained the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). In his military capacity, Master Sergeant Tansel is the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Data Processing Installation, serving as the Information Systems Chief, Joint Forces Headquarters, Indiana National Guard. He has successfully completed the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course and hopes to attend the Battle Staff Course and the Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas and be promoted into the Sergeants Major ranks. Master Sergeant Tansel’s military awards and decorations include the Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass Device (20 Years), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device (Mobilization), Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, Army Service Ribbon, Indiana Commendation Medal, Indiana Long Service Medal with 20 Year Bronze Disk, Indiana Operation Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon, Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Indiana Military Volunteer Emblem and various other awards.

Complementing and mirroring his role in military service, Steve is a federal civil service technician of nearly 17 years and, in his civilian capacity, is the interim Senior Systems Administrator of the Data Processing Installation, United States Property and Fiscal Office for Indiana with responsibility of providing oversight and overall direction to the Systems Administration team of six civil service technicians.
Commander Tansel has a long history of volunteer service. Among his civil affiliations, he is also a proud member of the 40&8, the Loyal Order of Moose, and a supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Commander Steve has been married to the former Suzanne Teague for 13 years.