U.S. Marine Corps veteran and longtime American Legion National Headquarters staff member Rodney K. Rolland was appointed American Legion national adjutant on May 9 during the final day of the 2024 Spring Meetings. Rolland’s appointment was approved unanimously by the Legion’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and came one day after Daniel S. Wheeler announced his retirement following 16 years in the same position.
Rolland both worked in and led National Headquarters’ Human Resources Division for more than 17 years before being named assistant national adjutant on May 1, 2022. As national adjutant, he serves as the chief executive officer of the nation’s largest veterans service organization.
“I am honored, humbled and inspired to assume this important responsibility for the nation’s largest and most influential organization of U.S. military veterans,” Rolland said. “As a new generation joins and becomes more involved in The American Legion’s programs, services and advocacy, I look forward to expanding our reach and evolving in the years ahead, guided by time-honored values.”
A member of American Legion Post 333 in Columbus, Ga., Rolland’s previous responsibilities as assistant national adjutant included leadership in the areas of staffing, policy, strategic planning, national resolution fulfillment, technology, budget, communications, event management and others. He has also worked closely with American Legion national commanders and other constitutional officers of the organization, as well as commission leadership, staff executive directors and division directors. He continued to simultaneously serve as Human Resources director at National Headquarters, a position he held from 2013 to 2024.
“I thank National Commander Daniel Seehafer and the National Executive Committee for trusting in my leadership. And I thank Daniel S. Wheeler for mentoring me over the years,” Rolland said. “Foremost, The American Legion is much more than National Headquarters. We operate with a shared sense of purpose through ‘individual obligation to community, state and nation,’ as the Preamble to our Constitution states.
“This is one big team, from every Legionnaire in every local post to the top officers and staff fighting every day for veterans and their interests in Washington. It is an honor and a privilege to help lead our talented, dedicated staff in the important work we do every day.”
Rolland earned a master’s of business administration degree in 2007 from Indiana Wesleyan University, where in 2005 he also received a bachelor’s degree in business. His wife, Sandy, served more than 20 years before retiring from the U.S. Army.
“As you leave here today, what I want you to take with you is that I am committed to making you feel proud about your decision today,” Rolland told the NEC. “I am committed to putting my best foot forward each and every day.”
Prior to Rolland’s appointment, Seehafer delivered closing remarks to the NEC, urging its members to continue advocacy through the Legion’s Grassroots Action Center and promoting its Be the One suicide prevention program.
“Let America know that we mean business when it comes to changing lives and saving lives, especially with our veterans and their families,” Seehafer said. “This is our mission: Being the one as we continue to change lives and save lives.”
