Our History

Great Lakes Region comprises six wings: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Great Lakes Region has over 200 units and more than 6,820 volunteers. 3,410 of these volunteers are cadets, ages 12-21.

GREAT LAKES REGION COMMANDERS
William M. Joy, Jul 51 to May 56
John H. Batten May, 56 to Sep 57
Louis A. Edwards, Sep 57 to Sep 58
John O. Swarts,  Sep 58 to  Oct 62
Lyle W. Castle, 16 Oct 62 to 5 Dec 64
Col Robert H. Herweh, 5 Dec 64 to 31 Oct 70
Col Dale D. Brannon, 31 Oct 70 to 19 Apr 71
Col Richard R. Doole,y 19 Apr 71 to 31 Nov 73
Col Robert H. Herweh, 1 Dec 73 to 15 Mar 76
Col Edward L. Palka, 15 Mar 76 to 30 Aug 81
Col Russell A. Sheibel,s 30 Aug 81 to 5 Dec 86
Col Jack R. Hornbeck, 5 Dec 86 to 16 Mar 91
Col Paul M. Bergman, 4 May 91 to 13 Nov 93
Col Robert V. Payton, 13 Nov 93 to 6 Mar 95
Col Denzil Allen, 6 Mar 95 to 6 Mar 99
Col William S. Charles, 6 Mar 99 to 1 Mar 03
Col William W. Webb, 1 Mar 03 to 1 Mar 07
Col Charles L. Carr, Jr. 1 Mar 07 to 4 Sep 10
Col Robert M. Karton,  4 Sep 10 to 10 Dec 10 (interim)
Col Robert M. Karton, 10 Dec 10 to 14 Mar 15
Col Edward D. Phelka 14 Mar 15 – 31 Aug 17
Col Fred R. Rosenberg, 31 Aug 17 – 13 Jan 18 (interim)
Col Matthew R. Creed, 13 Jan 18 – 15 Jan 22
Col Rose M. Hunt, 15 Jan 22 - 16 Aug 24                                                                                                                                                                                    Col Rickey Oeth, 16 Aug 24 to present (interim)