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AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

U.S. ARMY RESERVE

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM?

The Army Reserve Ambassador (ARA) Program is one of the Army Reserve's key outreach and engagement programs. ARA’s are appointed by the Chief of Army Reserve (CAR) to a 3-year term to serve as special government employees who voluntarily represent the CAR without salary, wage, or benefits. All ARA's hold a Department of Army Protocol Precedence List (VIP Code 5) a major general (two star) equivalent. The primary role of an Ambassador is to develop awareness and advocacy for the Army Reserve by building bridges of communication to communities across the Nation. 

Chief of Army Reserve at Opry's Salute the Troops event
Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve Command, receives a poster commemorating the Salute the Troops show at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tenn., May 21, 2024. Daniels visited Middle Tennessee State University and the Opry at the invitation of Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s vice president for marketing and communications, who serves as one of Tennessee’s four civilian Army Reserve Ambassadors. Joining Oppmann to welcome the general was Ambassador Emeritus John Dyess of Franklin and Ambassador Douglas Gilbert of Nashville. Click the link below to read more.
https://mtsunews.com/army-reserve-general-daniels-opry/
ARA | JULIE JOHNSON
Illinois Army Reserve Ambassador Julie Johnson shares her story about how you can still serve your country as an Ambassador, even without prior military service history. Her grandfather was a great motivator for her, and she talks about how being an ARA is her way of honoring him since his passing. As a chiropractor, she shares how her passion for helping others goes hand in hand with her role as an ambassador, and encourages other like-minded individuals to consider this path. Directed By: Tim Yao Camera: Colton Huston
ARA | Johnnie Ross
Army Reserve Ambassador Johnnie Ross talks about why he chose to become an Army Reserve Ambassador, and how that allows him to help the Reserve Soldiers of today. Army Reserve Ambassadors like Johnnie Ross can speak to employers which allows them to understand from a new point of view what their Reserve Soldiers do while away for training. For more information, visit: https://www.usar.army.mil/AmbassadorProgram
ARA | JIM BERNET
Army Reserve Ambassador Jim Bernet talks about the Minuteman Scholarship, and how he takes great joy in helping young adults pave the way for their future. The Army Reserve Minuteman Scholarship pays for your college education, while simultaneously trains you to be a future leader in the U.S. Army Reserve. For more information, visit: https://www.usar.army.mil/MinutemanCampaign/ Video By Colton Huston
ARA Highlight: What Army Reserve Ambassadors Do
Army Reserve Ambassador Jim Bernet tells us what being an Army Reserve Ambassador entails.
ARA Highlight: How Involvement Can Start
Army Reserve Ambassador Bob Pleczkowski tells us how he got involved with the ARA Program.
HOW THEY SERVE

Ambassadors have the advantage of strategic timing, long-term relationships, and continued dialogue with key community stakeholders and centers of influence within their respective area of operations.  ARAs proactively support the Army Reserve initiatives and actively pursue opportunities within our communities to build relationships with those key audiences. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAPING TOMORROW

Ambassadors serve as the initial approval authority for Minuteman Scholarships. ARA’s often partner with local universities, high schools and ROTC programs to inform and educate potential recruits on the benefits of joining the Army Reserve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Ambassadors are a powerful means of message delivery to the American people, attending events and public speaking engagements building bridges and forging enduring relationships between Reserve units and local communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLDIER AND FAMILY SUPPORT

Ambassadors builds links between local commanders, Soldiers, Veteran Service Organizations and their families during deployments and rotation and ensure the voice of the military family and servicemember is heard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

ARAs are relied upon to seek support from elected officials and engage related to military programs and initiatives; engaging stakeholders at the local and state levels to support policies and actions that affect Soldiers and their families.

 

 

 

Featured News
(from left) Army Reserve Ambassadors Beau Ruff, Kurt Hardin, and Jon Pan, all from Washington state, introduce themselves during the 88th Readiness Division Army Reserve Ambassador Workshop on 14 Sep. 2024 at Fort Snelling, Minn. The Army Reserve Ambassador Program is one of the ways the 88th RD builds connections to our many communities. ARAs are recommended and vetted through the division, and then appointed by the Chief of the Army Reserve. They hold an honorary rank equivalent to that of a Major (two-star) General. And they do all of this on a volunteer basis, for no pay. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Bob Yarbrough)
88th Readiness Division Army Reserve Ambassador Workshop 2024
By Staff Sgt. Bob Yarbrough | Sept. 17, 2024
Army Reserve Ambassadors from across the 88th Readiness Division's 19-state area of operations met Sept. 14, 2024, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in order to engage one another, share lessons learned over the last year, and...
Army Reserve Ambassador Uses Golden Knights Tandem Jumps to Strengthen Civilian-Army Reserve Ties
Army Reserve Ambassador Uses Golden Knights Tandem Jumps to Strengthen Civilian-Army Reserve Ties
By Mr. Christopher Oposnow | Aug. 19, 2024
On a recent morning, as a plane ascended to 12,500 feet, a group of community leaders braced themselves for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They were about to jump out of a plane, tethered to members of the U.S. Army...
Jordyn Hoit, an ROTC cadet from Escondido, California, has been profoundly influenced by the U.S. Army Reserve’s Minuteman Scholarship, which she received during a high school football game in her hometown. The scholarship has allowed her to attend Hofstra University, where she is majoring in criminology, while also committing to serve as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve. By sharing her journey at an educators’ retreat, she has helped to demystify military opportunities for students without military backgrounds, showcasing how the scholarship plays a crucial role in shaping future leaders. (Courtesy photo from James Bernet)
From military aspirations to leadership roles: The impact of the Minuteman Scholarship
By Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Oposnow | Aug. 16, 2024
The U.S. Army Reserve's Minuteman Scholarship has become a significant tool in recruiting and developing future military leaders. Two individuals deeply involved in this initiative, Jordyn Hoit, an ROTC cadet, and James...
Retired U.S. Army Maj, Gen. Phillip M. Churn is awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to others at Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, July 20, 2024. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved 4000 hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime. (U.S. Army Photo by Master Sgt. Justin P. Morelli)
Army Reserve senior leader receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
By Shawn Morris Deputy Public Affairs Officer, 99th Training Division | July 30, 2024
Retired U.S. Army Maj, Gen. Phillip M. Churn is awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to others at Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, July 20, 2024...
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