Jay Bowen, National Commander of The American Legion

National Commander Jay Bowen will be visiting six American Legion Posts in Western Kansas.  Legion members and the general public are invited to attend his stops. Contact the Post for arrangements.  See the tour schedule for times and locations.

A retired chief warrant officer three, Bowen worked in radar and missile maintenance on HAWK and Patriot systems. His 20-year Army career included service in Operation Desert Shield.

Following his military service, Bowen worked in the private sector in roles including distribution management and telecommunications engineering. He built a preventive maintenance program for baked beans manufacturer Bush Brothers & Company. He later worked in federal defense contracting. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Arkansas University, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.

Bowen has held numerous leadership positions within The American Legion at the post, district, department (state), and national levels. A Paid Up For Life member of Neal Thomas Jr.-Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo., he is a past commander of the Department of Colorado. At the national level, he has served as chairman of the Veterans Employment and Education Commission, chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, and chairman of the Membership and Post Activities Committee, among other roles.

As national commander, Bowen emphasizes The American Legion’s mission of service through his theme, “Be Part of the Solution (B.P.O.T.S.),” encouraging members to engage actively in their communities, support veterans, and their families, and advance the organization’s legislative priorities. He is a staunch advocate for The American Legion “Be the One” mission to prevent veteran suicide.

Bowen and his wife, Jackie, have two sons and four grandchildren, all members of The American Legion Family. Their oldest grandson recently married a very nice lady with three sons, so they are now great-grandparents.