DVIDS – News – New Army Reserve Ambassador Appointed to Rhode Island

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ – Maj. Gen. Rodney Faulk, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, confirmed the appointment by Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels, chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Ernest “Ernie” Almonte as U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador for Rhode Island.

As Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, Almonte leads a team of professionals who assist member municipal governments in advocating for their interests before state executive and administrative agencies, as well as providing assistance technical support, information sharing and training to help municipal officials. in the discharge of their responsibilities.

After retiring as an audit partner at RSM US LLP on April 30, 2021, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos appointed Almonte as Chief of Staff. In this role, he managed office staff and led initiatives on housing, small business, veterans affairs, long-term care and many other issues. Almonte served the Rhode Island Department of Health as acting chief financial officer and associate director where he led the finance team for a $400 million organization during part of the Covid pandemic.

Almonte spent 16 years as Auditor General of Rhode Island, responsible for the financial, performance, and fraud audits of the state of Rhode Island. Almonte was responsible for the full $8 billion financial report, audits of Rhode Island Lottery finances, computer controls, and provided pension information and forecasts. He has held numerous positions as chair of audit committees, including at universities and the Pentagon’s Department of Defense Audit Advisory Committee. Almonte has twice been named one of the top 100 CPAs in the nation by Accounting Today.

The Army Reserve Ambassador Program was established in 1998 to promote awareness of the Army Reserve, its goals and objectives, and to serve as a vital bridge across our states/communities to further educate and gain a support for the army reserve. Army Regulation 140.1, Chapter 9, outlines the role, function, and operational level of the USAR Ambassador. Ambassadors are a powerful way to deliver messages to the American people.

The function of Ambassador is similar to that of Civilian Assistants to the Secretary of the Army and carries protocol status equivalent to that of a Major General which is a key means by which Ambassadors can effectively discharge their responsibilities. . Ambassadors are special government employees who represent the head of the Army Reserve without salary, wages, or related benefits.

Ambassadors provide community assistance to Army Reserve members/families, other military personnel/families as required, and provide feedback on plans, programs, and needs to the Army Reserve Commander. military, regional support commander and local USAR commanders.

Additionally, Ambassadors build relationships and strive to enhance understanding and knowledge of the Army Reserve within the business and social sectors of communities across America. They help educate the public, community leaders, and congressional staff offices about the capabilities and values ​​of the Army Reserve and the soldiers who live and work in their communities. They establish open lines of communication with local communities; and they work to support recruiting efforts by helping community and business leaders recognize that the Army Reserve builds soldiers, community and nation.

Although not all ARAs have military experience, many are retired officers or senior NCOs who wish to remain engaged in military affairs. Every state and territory has at least one ARA.

For more information visit http://www.usar.army.mil/Featured/Ambassador-Program/