Major Adam W. Balbach to deliver School of Graduate Studies Commencement Ceremony address

The speaker for the Graduate Studies Ceremony is Major Adam Balbach, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2007 and a Master of Business Administration–Human Resources in 2019. He is an Active Duty Officer in the Indiana Army National Guard and has served his state and nation for two decades.

Balbach began his military career as an enlisted Forward Observer in 2004and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2007 through the University of Southern Indiana ROTC program. Notable assignments include Rifle Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Commander of Company A, 1st Battalion 151st Infantry in Linton, Indiana, and deployment in support of Operation Joint Guardian to Kosovo from 2022–23.

Balbach has completed military education, including the Command and General Staff Officer Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course and Infantry Officer Basic Course. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal for Balkans Operations and the Indiana Commendation Medal. He is also Air Assault and Army Pathfinder qualified.

Currently, Balbach is the Division Human Resources Officer for the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division in Indianapolis, where he supervises personnel services for more than 8,000 soldiers. With nearly 20 years of leadership experience managing diverse teams in fast-paced, high-stress environments, he is accomplished in driving impactful decisionmaking, strategic HR planning and data-driven talent management. He maintains interactive reporting and tracking systems leveraging data mining to identify trends and inform leadership decisions, significantly enhancing both retention and readiness across the organization.

Previously, he served as the Executive Officer for the 1st Squadron 152nd Cavalry Regiment in New Albany, Indiana, where he supervised operations across personnel, intelligence, logistics and communications for more than 450 soldiers. His experience and analytical expertise informed senior leader decision-making and strategic planning, resulting in measurable improvements in organizational performance.

Additionally, Balbach served as the Brigade Human Resources Officer for the 219th Engineer Brigade and the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from 2019–23 in Franklin and Indianapolis. In these roles, he managed all HR functions for more than 4,000 personnel. He was the lead officer for administratively and medically preparing more than 500 soldiers across eight states for overseas deployment and oversaw pay, evaluation, promotion and awards actions for 1,100-plus multinational personnel deployed in austere, international environments.

Balbach is passionate about empowering teams, improving processes and fostering organizational excellence. His proven ability to enhance retention and readiness through innovative policies and performance metrics has made him a highly respected leader in strategic human resources.

Today, he resides in Chandler, Indiana, with his wife, Krista, and three boys, Hank, Jase and Luke. He is a father, husband, soldier, coach and mentor. His family, faith and service to the community motivate him to
be better every day.