Major General Mark J. Schindler was nominated to continue to serve as the 54th Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and was confirmed by the Senate of Pennsylvania on April 26, 2023. In this Cabinet-level position with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, General Schindler oversees a combined state and federal budget of over $966 million. He is responsible for the command and control of over 18,000 Army and Air National Guard members (third largest National Guard in the nation); a complement of 2,500 commonwealth employees; care of residential Cadets at the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy; and six state-owned Veterans homes and programs for Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 Veterans.
Prior to his appointment, he served as Assistant Adjutant General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Chief of Staff, Pennsylvania National Guard; and served in a variety of command and staff positions within the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. General Schindler deployed as commander of the 55th Military Engagement Team in Jordan during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012-2013.
General Schindler was born in Buffalo, New York. He received a two-year ROTC scholarship from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and was commissioned in 1987, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications. He attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania earning a master’s degree in communications in 1989, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2011.
His military education includes: Signal Corps Officer Basic and Advanced Course; U.S. Army War College; Harvard University - Leadership in Homeland Security Course; Dual-Status Commander Course; and the Senior Leadership Course, Baltic Defense College.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2nd Award); Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award); Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award); Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award); Air Force Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3rd Award); National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3rd Award); Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M-Device; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (5th Award).
General Schindler and his wife, Colette, have two adult children, David and Beth Rose.