New Army Reserve ambassador appointed to West Virginia

Courtesy Photo | Corrina M. Boggess has been appointed as a United States Army Reserve ambassador for West Virginia. Corrina M. Boggess is currently working on a doctorate of executive leadership at the University of Charleston, W.Va. She retired from the Army Reserve as a colonel in 2009 as the Army Reserve G-1.  

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, UNITED STATES

07.31.2015

Courtesy Story

99th Readiness Division

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Maj. Gen. Margaret W. Boor, commanding general of the Army Reserve’s 99th Regional Support Command, has confirmed the appointment by Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, Chief, Army Reserve, of Corrina M. Boggess as a United States Army Reserve ambassador for West Virginia.

Corrina M. Boggess is currently working on a doctorate of executive leadership at the University of Charleston, West Virginia. She retired from the Army Reserve as a colonel in 2009 as the Army Reserve G-1.

Boggess was the assistant coordinator for the Wellness Options for Women Veterans Program in West Virginia; is a life member of the Reserve Officers Association and the Association of the United States Army; U.S. Army War College – Alumni and West Virginia University – Alumni; and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Boggess received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Virginia University and her master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. She also holds a masters in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

The Army Reserve Ambassador (ARA) Program was established in April 1998 for private citizens to promote awareness of the Army Reserve and the identified goals and objectives of the Chief, Army Reserve (CAR).

ARAs develop awareness and advocacy with community leaders and are vitally important bridges to communities across the Nation. They function at the state and local level and voluntarily represent the CAR without salary, wages or other benefits. Most beneficial is that they provide “continuity” over the long term; while local Army Reserve team leaders come and go, Ambassadors are vested in the community.

Their function is similar to that of Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), and they carry a protocol status equivalent to a major general.

ARAs educate the public, community leaders and congressional staff offices about the capabilities and value of the AR and its Soldiers. They establish open lines of communication within these communities to help establish mutually supporting relationships with community leaders and community organizations. ARAs promote support for Soldiers and their families during deployments and play an active role in facilitating community support through “welcome home” ceremonies and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Not only do they build relationships that improve understanding and awareness of the AR within the business and civilian sectors, they also work with ESGR contacts, Military and Veteran Service Organizations, Employer Partnership Program Support managers, and Family Readiness Groups on key Soldier and family issues, including those that may have strategic implications and benefit across the Army Reserve.

While not all ARAs have military experience, many are retired officers or senior noncommissioned 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/community/ambassadors/Pages/default.aspx.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2015
• Date Posted: 07.31.2015 09:27
• Story ID: 171724
• Location: JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US