R.I. National Guardsman promoted to major general
Maj. Gen. Javier “Alex” Reina receives his promotion on June 3. (Rhode Island Army National Guard)
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) — A Rhode Island National Guard Officer was promoted to the rank of major general at a ceremony on Saturday.
Brig. Gen. Javier “Alex” Reina, the current deputy commander for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, U.S. Southern Command, was promoted at the Joint Force Headquarters, Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich.
The ceremony was attended by Maj. Gen. Christopher Callahan, Gov. Dan McKee, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, and Sen. Jack Reed, who each presented Reina with citations from their offices.
Reina earned his commission in 1989 and has commanded the 115th Military Police Company, the 118th Military Police Battalion, the 43rd Military Police Brigade, and the Land Component of the Rhode Island National Guard.
He has also served as the assistant adjutant general-Army for the R.I. National Guard.
He previously served in Guantanamo Bay and in Baghdad, Iraq.
Reina said his success is due to the love, support, and advice he received from his mother as well as the support from his family and fellow service members.
