2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
University of Miami (1987)
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Rafael A. Ribas was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1963. He attended the University of Miami through an ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
In 1987, Ribas commissioned into the Army National Guard. His first assignment was as a Platoon Leader, Company C, 1-124th Infantry, Florida Army National Guard, Homestead, Florida.
He is a combat leader and veteran of deployments to Iraq, 2003 as the Executive Officer, 1-124h IN following which the unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award and 2010 as Commander, 2-124th IN.
During the 2016-2018 Hurricane seasons, Ribas was nominated by the Governor and appointed by the Secretary of Defense to serve as Dual Status Commander for hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Michael response operations. He also served as Deputy Commanding General -Army National Guard, Maneuver Center of Excellence.
Ribas’s last assignment was as the Director for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, United States Southern Command, in Doral, Florida.
After 36 years of Army service, Ribas retired on June 1, 2023. His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star with "V" Device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Florida Cross.
Ribas is well known throughout the local community regularly supporting veteran events, military appreciation, dedications, and commemorations. He also dedicates his time to support the local FIU Army ROTC program, where he participated in six commissioning ceremonies, two ROTC charity events, and conducted three University key leader engagements with multiple university presidents, provosts, deans, and stakeholders to champion additional support for the ROTC programs. His efforts have directly resulted in large financial support to ROTC scholarships, facility, and training area upgrades.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
Social Sharing