Commanding General of the Maryland Defense Force

Brigadier General (MD) Kelm's career began in the U.S. Navy and spanned 26 years until his retirement in 2003. While on active duty, he served in the Civil Engineer Corps of the United States Navy. His assignments included public works officer/officer in charge of construction at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, chief of staff for the Second Naval Construction Brigade in Little Creek, Va., and commander of the 20th Naval Construction Regiment and Commanding Officer Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Miss.

He joined the Maryland Defense Force in 2006 and was assigned as the commander of the newly established Engineer Corps.

Kelm's military awards include the Legion of Merit with one gold star, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with silver star, Navy Achievement Medal, Naval Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars, and Fleet Marine Force insignia, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal among others.

Kelm holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University and a master's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval War College.