press release
2023/05/05
Lamont Governor Nominates Veteran Brigadier General Ronald P. Welch as Director of Veterans Administration
Ronald P. Welch
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(Hartford, Conn.) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the appointment of retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Ronald “Ron” P. Welch of Waterford as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.
General Welch has nearly 40 years of military service. Since he retired from the military in 2017, he has worked to connect Connecticut veterans, active duty military, National Guard, reservists, and their families with the programs and services they need to help with the challenges of everyday life. I work for a non-profit organization in , especially for those who are about to leave military service.
“With nearly 40 years of military experience, General Welch explores what it means to serve his country in a variety of capacities, and what it means to be away from family and loved ones for extended periods of time while deployed during an armed conflict in a foreign country. And I know firsthand what it’s like to return to civilian life and deal with the challenges that come with leaving the military. Governor Lamont said:“He has extensive experience in the Connecticut military community, having served in a leadership role for many years in the Connecticut National Guard and, in retirement, has worked with and donated to local non-profit organizations that provide assistance to veterans and military personnel. He is well suited to head the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and has agreed to continue his many years of public service by assuming this position. We thank Tom Sardy for his many years of service to our nation, and his leadership has provided invaluable service to Connecticut’s veterans.
“I am honored to be elected by Governor Lamont as the next Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.” General Welch said“I look forward to the tremendous contributions Connecticut’s armed forces, veterans, and their families make to the freedoms we enjoy every day in our great state and nation.”
General Welch enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 22, 1978 and served on active duty with the 2nd Regiment.nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Regimentth Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis Washington. While active duty, he was promoted to Sergeant and completed Basic Airborne School, Ranger School, Jungle Warfare Course, Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance and Scout Swim Course, Jump Master Course, Junior Petty Officer Course, Marine Corps Scout Sniper Course, and Emergency Medicine. . He had a Technician course, a Special Operations and Tactics course, and a Pathfinder he had a school. On May 4, 1981, he was seriously injured in a parachute accident while on duty. He retired from active service on his October 2, 1982.
After retiring from active duty, General Welch joined the Connecticut National Guard and attended cadet school in 1983. On August 11, 1984, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. He then served in various positions in the Infantry Division of the Connecticut National Guard as a rifle platoon commander, company commander, and various staff officers. He also served as an operations officer for the Combat Engineer Battalion. He was a battalion commander at the 1st Area Officer Candidate School. As a member of the National Guard, he graduated from Infantry Officer Basic Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Air He Assault Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course and NBC Officer/NCO Defense Course. Rappel Master Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, Army Combat Lifesaver Course, Integrated Task Force Commander Training Course, Dual Status Commander Orientation Course, Leadership Homeland Security Course, Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, and Homeland Security Executive Seminar for General and Flag Officers.
General Welch was promoted to Colonel on October 1, 2004, and served in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2006 as a Senior American Advisor to the Afghan National Army Infantry Brigade in eastern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. , training, advising, and conducting combat operations. While in Afghanistan, he continued to advise units of the Connecticut National Guard on preparations for deployment to Afghanistan. His main advice is the development of professional military professionals and pre-mobilization training in troop command procedures, combat training, convoy operations, land navigation, physical fitness and marksmanship, while learning culture, language and customs. was to continue.
In 2008, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Connecticut National Guard and in 2012 he became the 85th Regimental Regiment.th Troop commander. He was selected as Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2014 and promoted to Army Brigadier General in 2015. He retired from military service in 2017.
After his retirement, General Welch sought opportunities to provide support to veterans and active-duty military personnel and their families, and served as Vice President of Military and Family Services for Veterans Larry Point, along with Easter Shields Capital Region and the non-profit organization Eastern Connecticut. accepted the position. He expands access to health care, education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans.
General Welch graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a BA in 1992 and a Master of Science in Organizational Management in 2007. He also received a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in 2011.
His decorations and badges include the Legion of Merit, Soldier Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Merit Medal containing 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal containing 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachute Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Israeli Parachute Badge, Canadian Parachute Badges, German Army Shooting Badge Gold, Connecticut Medal of Valor, Connecticut Medal of Merit with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Connecticut Emergency Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.
The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs is the state agency responsible for connecting veterans and their eligible dependents with information and support services for state and federal veteran benefits.
By accepting the commissioner’s position, General Welch will replace Thomas J. Sardy, who resigned earlier this week after being nominated to become a Connecticut Superior Court judge.
The Governor’s Office will forward General Welch’s nomination to the Connecticut Legislature for its advice and consent.
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