U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador George H. Duell Jr. of Palmerton received the Public Service Commendation Medal from Maj. Gen. Troy D. Kok, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, during a ceremony Aug. 3 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

The Public Service Commendation Medal is the fourth highest public service decoration the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, ranking directly below the Meritorious Public Service Medal.

Duell has also been appointed as an Army Reserve Ambassador for an additional three-year term, now ending May 3, 2021.

“You’ve been a pillar of support for soldiers and their families, and a crucial advocate for their mission and well-being in the communities where they live and work. We need you to stay at it,” wrote Charles D. Luckey, Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army, Chief of Army Reserve.

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. 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 provide 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 Readiness Division commander and to local Army Reserve 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 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 ambassadors 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 Army Reserve ambassador.

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