Russell L (Russ) Chambers served in the United States Army, the Indiana and Oklahoma Army National Guards, and the United States Army Reserve from 1972 to 1996. A veteran of operation Desert Storm, he served with Task Force Viper, 3rd Armored Division. He has served as a Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Troop Executive Officer, Troop Commander, Battalion Logistics Officer, Air Assault School Executive Officer and Battalion Operations and Training Officer. Russ graduated from the Indiana Military Academy Officer Candidate School, Class XXIIII-78, the Armor (Cavalry) Basic and Advanced Courses, Air Assault School and Pathfinder School. Russ has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, with minors in Business Administration and Accounting from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. 

He has served the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a Post Commander (9010), District Commander and Quartermaster (NC11), Department Public Affairs Officer (NC and The Leader Magazine), Department Judge Advocate (NC), Department Junior Vice Commander (NC), Department Senior Vice Commander (NC), and Department Commander (NC). He currently serves as a Past Department Commander (NC). Russ and his wife Mony live outside of Winston-Salem and have four adult daughters, eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.