Kratzer is 'officer and a gentleman'

September 1, 2009

Dave Kratzer has served The Gator Nation for nearly 24 years, including more than four as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and almost 20 as the former Director of the Reitz Union. In addition, he is now serving his country as a newly appointed U.S. Army Reserve ambassador.

Kratzer, a retired Army Reserve Major General, was recently appointed as an ambassador by Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command.

“It’s an honor,” Kratzer said.

Army Reserve Ambassadors are private citizens who serve as liaisons between the Army Reserve and the community. Ambassadors are spokespeople and representatives for the Army Reserve, and are resources and mentors for soldiers and their families.

Ambassadors have a status equal to that of a two-star general. There are two ambassadors per state who serve three-year terms. At the end of their terms, they may apply to be appointed for another three years.

Kratzer’s own military experience makes him well-qualified for the ambassador position. After Sept. 11, 2001, Kratzer was deployed to Afghanistan for six months, returned to the U.S. for five months, and deployed again to Iraq and Kuwait for a year.

“The University of Florida has been wonderful in their support of me,” Kratzer said. “I left twice and came back, and my job was still here.”

His experience overseas helps him relate to what soldiers are going through now that he serves as a mentor to them. Returning reservists may face financial troubles, job loss, post-traumatic stress or family issues after being away from home.

“I think they (the Army Reserve Ambassador program) specifically wanted me because I could talk to soldiers and their families,” Kratzer said.

Kratzer’s various duties as an ambassador include attending events such as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Workshop. The Yellow Ribbon Program reunites soldiers from across the United States after they return home from duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

For the 30- and 60-day reunions, the soldiers and their families receive an expense-paid trip to Orlando, where many take the opportunity to reunite with men and women with whom they served while stationed overseas.

“The idea is to bring them back together,” Kratzer said.

Ninety days after the soldiers returned home, they were invited to a soldiers-only workshop in Jacksonville. The program provided counseling and information regarding employment and the GI Bill. Kratzer addressed the group of soldiers at the recent reunion.

“We help them try to find out what kind of help they need,” Kratzer said. “There’s a lot of one-on-one time provided, and a lot of laughs as well.”

As an ambassador, Kratzer attends a variety of events. Recently, Kratzer attended a deployment ceremony for a unit in Orlando. He also assists the US Army Recruiting Battalion by supporting such events as GatorNationals, a national drag racing event at Gainesville Raceway, where the Army’s No. 1 racing team drew the attention of approximately 2,000 people.

At UF, Kratzer works with the Collegiate Veterans Society, a voluntary student organization that numbers more than 440 student veterans on campus. He recently assisted the Collegiate Veteran’s Society and UF’s Student Government in planning the dedication ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial at the Reitz Union Amphitheatre. The memorial consists of a fountain, The US and State of Florida flags, a commemorative marker and five granite pillars representing each of the five military branches. The ceremony, hosted by the Collegiate Veterans Society, included a Navy flyover and a speech from a four-star general.

Kratzer also is the chair of the ROTC Advisory Committee on campus, which includes keeping track of ROTC’s numbers and academic standings. The committee oversees the Army, Navy, Marines and the Air Force at UF.

As an ambassador and former commander, Kratzer has seen a lot of support from soldiers, and he enjoys the opportunity to reconnect with them.

“Any day you can spend with soldiers is a great day,” Kratzer said. “This is my opportunity to give back to them.”