FORT MOORE, Ga. — The U.S. Army Infantry School Commandant and Chief of Infantry pinned on his second star May 16, 2024, during a promotion ceremony in front of the Follow Me Statue at McGinnis-Wickam Hall on Fort Moore, Georgia.
The newly minted Maj. Gen. Monté L. Rone, who also wears a third hat as the director of the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team, said a tremendous amount of support helped him achieve his career success.
“No Soldier gets promoted by his own actions; it takes a village. It takes a team to get promoted” Rone said. “Everyone needs assistance and help, and I’m no different.”
During the ceremony, Rone’s wife, Michelle, and his daughter, Morgan, added the new rank to the two-star’s uniform shoulder epaulettes. Maj. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Moore, presided over the ceremony.
“Monté has done all the tough jobs, so it hadn’t been easy,” Buzzard said. “He’s made a huge impact on the Infantry force and Soldier lethality … as we prepare for the future.”
Buzzard went on to say the rank of major general was the highest rank in the Army until the U.S. Civil War and therefore a tremendous honor and one of great responsibility.
“I’m proud of Monté for what he’s done, but more so for what he’s going to do — what will be expected at this next rank — and all the contributions he’s going to make as a major general in the United States Army,” Buzzard said.
Rone enlisted in the Army in 1990 and commissioned as a second lieutenant in his home state of Michigan as an Infantry Officer through the ROTC program at Eastern Michigan University where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Auditing in 1995. Rone has completed 23 assignments, including three joint and seven operational assignments. He has deployed thrice to Iraq, twice to Afghanistan, and once to Djbouti and Poland. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, Rone also holds a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Administration from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Rone said he has been the beneficiary of outstanding leadership throughout his nearly 34 years of active service.
“Inspirational leaders provide purpose … a sense of belonging,” Rone said. “I’ve been a part of a special team, a winning team … America’s Army. When we talk about cohesive teams and building trust — the foundation of everything we do in the Army — that’s what I’ve benefitted from because I’ve had inspirational leaders.”
Rone’s next position will be leading the “Big red One” team as the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. As he prepares for the next step in his career, he reflected on his beginnings as an enlisted Soldier and those who have been a part of his journey.
“I remember when I joined the Army back in 1990, I had nowhere else to go,” Rone said. “[Non-commissioned officer] leadership made me go to schools, made me go to classes, made me go out and do [physical training], made me do everything I didn’t want to do, but that benefitted me in the long term. That’s what inspirational leaders do; and I want to thank each and every one of you for investing in me and investing in my family.”
A change of responsibility will take place between Rone and the incoming U.S. Army Infantry School Commandant and Chief of Infantry, Brig. Gen. Phillip J. Kiniery III, June 18, 2024. Kiniery is currently serving as the deputy commander (operations), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Photos of the Rone’s promotion ceremony are available for download here: https://fortmoore.smugmug.com/Maneuver-Center/MCoE-Events/2024-05-16-Maj-Gen-Rone-Promotion-Ceremony.
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