Biography

Colonel Horoho was born in 1959 and grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He graduated in the inaugural class of Shea High School, where he earned varsity letters in Football and Tennis. He entered the University of Rhode Island with the class of 1982.  He enrolled in the Army ROTC program, and in October 1979 was one of the first Cadets to participate in the Army Reserve’s Simultaneous Member Program, serving as a training officer in D Company, 3rd Bn, 417^th Infantry.  He was commissioned as part of the Early Commissioning Program in July 1981 and remained with the 417th Infantry until he graduated in June 1982. 

Colonel Horoho’s military service spans 39 years, and 26 years as an Army Spouse.  After graduating from URI, LT Horoho started his military career as a Signal Officer serving as the Communications Electronic Staff Officer for the 326^th Engr Bn, 101^st Abn Div. He then moved to A Co, 501st Sig Bn as the Company Executive Officer and Command Operations Platoon Leader; after which he became the Battalion Assistant S-3; and then assumed command of A Company.  He next was assigned to ROTC as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Pittsburgh. He left active duty in 1991 and returned to the Army Reserve as the Commander E Co, 3^rd Bn, 108^th Artillery, 108^th Inf Div.  He branch transferred to the Quartermaster Corps, taking command of the 352^nd Corps Support Battalion where he led humanitarian support to El Salvador following Hurricane Mitch. 

Colonel Horoho was later assigned as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee in the Training, Readiness and Mobilization Division, Office of The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.  On September 11, 2001 (911) he reported for duty hours after the plane attacked the Pentagon.  He immediately wrote the Declaration of National Emergency and Partial Mobilization Order which was signed by President Bush approximately 96 hours after the attack. He held additional duties while working for the Under Secretary of the Defense Personnel and Readiness as his lead for Continuity of Operations; and he was the US Head of the Delegation to the National Reserve Force Committee to the NATO Military Committee. 

In 2004, he became the Deputy to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Readiness, Training and Mobilization, where he helped develop the Reserve Forces contribution to the Army Force Generation Model.  At the same time, he was Chief of Staff to Task Force Care, which was one of the task forces responsible for the Army’s response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, Colonel Horoho, retired from uniform service and became the Army’s first Director of Civilian Leader Development. He subsequently served as the HQDA G-3’s Director of Administration and Resources. He concluded his civilian service as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. At this time, he assumed the duties as the Acting Assistant Secretary, because there was no nominee.

Colonel Horoho’s military awards include: The Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Humanitarian Assistance Medal, Army Air Assault Badge, Army Parachutist Badge, Secretary of Defense Staff Badge, Army Staff Badge among others. His Civilian Service Awards include the Exceptional, as well as the Superior and Meritorious Civilian Service Awards. He holds a master’s degree from The Naval War College.

Ray is a member of the URI ROTC Alumni Chapter and renders support to the University in the form of a five-year scholarship named after his Dad; support to the Student First Program; and the annual drive to purchase the commissioning Lieutenants dress blue uniform.  

Ray is married to LTG Patricia Dallas Horoho, 43^rd Army Surgeon General, who was also at the Pentagon on 911 and provided emergency medical assistance to casualties, risking her own life.  That means Ray was an Army Spouse.  He counts being an Army Spouse as some his most impactful service to the Army.  Their primary residence is in Reunion, Florida.  Their son is an Infantry First Lieutenant in the 82^nd Airborne Division and their daughter is a Virginia Probation and Parole Officer.  Time with family and golf are his major hobbies. 

Colonel Ray Horoho has spent his entire life serving his community and nation during peace and war.  His exemplary devotion to duty, personal courage, and outstanding leadership are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon the United States, his family, and the University of Rhode Island.