Maj. Gen. Rodney Faulk, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, has confirmed the appointment by Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command, of Jeffrey Alan Morton as a United States Army Reserve Ambassador for Maine.

Morton is a certified public accountant who holds master’s degrees in accounting and strategic studies. He is president of the Chamberlain Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, adjutant for American Legion Post 205, and cub master at Pack 603 (Augusta). He is also a member of the Cameron McLeod Society for Excellence in Technical Writing.

Morton retired from military service with over 38 years enlisted and commissioned service. His final assignment was as faculty at the Army War College’s Office for International Students where he was co-developer of the Valley Forge Staff Ride. Commissioned a cavalry officer, Morton branch transferred to Engineer where he held positions from platoon leader to brigade commander, to include combat service in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2007 as Engineer Brigade operations officer.

Last mobilized in 2017 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Morton remains active in professional, branch, and veterans’ organizations. Joint-qualified, Morton attended and was on the faculty of the Command and General Staff College and is a graduate of the Army War College and Joint Staff College’s Joint and Combined Warfare Course. Senior instructor at the Joint Engineer Operations Course, Morton instructed the joint community within the NORTHCOM, EUCOM, and PACOM.

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 in our states/communities to further educate and garner 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 means of message delivery to the American people.

The function of the Ambassador is similar to that of Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army, and carries a protocol status equivalent of a Major General that is a key means by which Ambassadors are able to effectively execute their responsibilities.  Ambassadors are Special Government Employees who represent the Chief of the Army Reserve without salary, wages or related benefits.

Ambassadors provides Community Outreach assistance to Army Reserve members/families, other military personnel/families as needed, and provide feedback on plans, programs and needs to the Commander of the Army Reserve, the Regional Support Commander and to local USAR Commanders.

Additionally, Ambassadors build relationships and strive to improve the understanding and knowledge of the Army Reserve within the business and social sectors of communities across America. They help to 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 the local communities; and they work to support recruiting efforts by assisting community and business leaders in recognizing that the Army Reserve strengthens the Soldiers, the community, and the Nation.
 
While not all ARAs have military experience, many are retired officers or senior non commissioned officers who wish to remain engaged in military affairs. Each state and territory has at least one ARA.

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