Commissioner Biography
Ronald P. Welch, Commissioner
Brigadier General, (Ret.), USA, Ronald P. “Ron” Welch enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 22, 1978, and served on active duty with the 2 Ranger Battalion of the 75 Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis Washington. During his active-duty service, he attained the rank of sergeant and completed Basic Airborne School, Ranger School, Jungle Warfare Course, USMC Amphibious Recon Scout Swimmer Course, Jumpmaster Course, Primary Non-Commission Officer Course, USMC Scout Sniper Course, Emergency Medical Technician Course, Special Operations and Tactics Course, and the Pathfinder School. On May 4, 1981, he sustained serious injuries during a line of duty parachute accident. He left active service after completing his tour of duty on October 2, 1982.
He returned home and joined the Connecticut National Guard and eventually attended Officer Candidate School and on August 11, 1984, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. He then served full-time in numerous positions in the Connecticut National Guard’s Infantry units as a rifle platoon leader, company commander, and various staff positions. He also served as an operations officer in a Combat Engineer battalion. He was the Battalion Commander of Officer Candidate School for Region 1. As member of the National Guard, he graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Air Assault Course, Infantry Officers Advanced Courses, NBC Officer/NCO Defense Course, Rappel Master Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College, Army Combat Lifesaver Course, Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, Dual Status Commander Orientation Course, Leadership in Homeland Security Course, Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, and the General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar.
He was promoted to Colonel on October 1, 2004, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2005 to 2006 as a senior American advisor to an Afghan National Army, Infantry Brigade located in Eastern Afghanistan, providing training, advice, and conducting combat operations. While in Afghanistan, he continued to advise units of the Connecticut National Guard in preparing them for their deployments to Afghanistan. His main advice was to learn the culture, language, and customs, while continuing professional military professional development, and premobilization training, such as troop leading procedures, battle drills, convoy operations, land navigation, physical fitness, and marksmanship.
In 2008, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Connecticut National Guard, and in 2012 he became the 85 Troop Command Commander. In 2014 he was selected as the Director of the Joint Staff and promoted to Brigadier General of the Line in 2015. He retired from military service in 2017. Following his retirement, General Welch sought opportunities to provide support for veterans and active-duty service members and families, and he accepted a position as Vice President of Military and Family Services for Veterans Rally Point with Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut, a nonprofit organization that provides expanded access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for those with disabilities and the veteran population.
Brigadier General Welch is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992 and a Master of Science degree in organizational management in 2007. He also earned a Master of Strategic Studies in 2011 from the U.S. Army War College. Some of his decorations and badges include the Legion of Merit, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Israeli Parachutist Badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge, German Army Marksmanship Badge Gold, Connecticut Medal of Valor, Connecticut Medal of Merit with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and Connecticut Emergency Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.
He resides in southeastern Connecticut. His oldest son Stephen is a combat veteran with three tours. He is a full-time Physician Assistant for the CT National Guard, previously serving in the ED at Yale, a daughter Katherine is attending Quinnipiac University in the Occupational Therapy master’s program. And his youngest son Ethan is entering his senior year at Pennsylvania State University majoring in Public Health.
Deputy Commissioner Biography
John S. Carragher, Deputy Commissioner
John S. Carragher was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs on November 1, 2025. As the Deputy Commissioner, he is responsible for managing all support services within the Department, including facilities management, food service, safety and security, and community outreach. Additionally, he provides expert advice to numerous elected and appointed officials and Veterans Service Organizations on military and veteran issues. He maintains close relationships with senior military leaders across the Department of Defense to ensure continuity of care during and after military service.
Mr. Carragher previously served as the Manager of Veterans Advocacy and Assistance, managing Department assistance to Connecticut’s Veterans and leading Veterans Service Officers in five district offices across the State. The office formally represents over 10,000 Connecticut Veterans resulting in approximately $199 million in annual payments to Veterans and their families. Mr. Carragher served concurrently as the Director of the Middletown State Veterans Cemetery, overseeing all aspects of cemetery management including daily operations, maintenance, reporting, and coordination with the National Cemetery Administration.
Mr. Carragher is the former Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Connecticut National Guard. As the Senior Enlisted Leader, he served as the personal and confidential advisor to The Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to enlisted personnel and the overall readiness, training, operations, and administration of the Connecticut National Guard.
CSM (Ret.) Carragher enlisted in the Connecticut National Guard on February 3, 1982 in the 143d Military Police Company as a military police Soldier. His assignments have included leadership and staff positions at every level of the Connecticut National Guard from team leader to J-3 Sergeant Major, culminating with his selection as the State Command Senior Enlisted Leader on April 14, 2012. His operational deployment experience includes mobilizations in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, he has supported operations in US Army South (Panama), Katrina Relief Operations in Louisiana, and Airport Security/Key Asset Protection Operations in Connecticut.
CSM (Ret.) Carragher’s military education includes all levels of NCOPDS, the Battle Staff NCO Course, Military Police Special Reaction Team Course, DOD Individual Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor Course, the Nominative CSM/SGM Force Management Course, The NORAD/NORTHCOM Joint Task Force Commanders Course, and numerous others. CSM Carragher is a 2013 graduate of National Defense University’s KEYSTONE Course.
CSM (Ret.) Carragher’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (8th award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/Gold Hourglass, M device, and numeral 3), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service Medal (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. CSM Carragher has been invested in the Order of the Marechaussee (in Silver) by the United States Army Military Police Regimental Association.
CSM (Ret.) Carragher relinquished responsibility as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader on January 9, 2021 and retired on March 1, 2021 after over 39 years of service to State and Nation.
CSM (Ret.) Carragher is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, and the National Guard Association of Connecticut. He is a member of the Association of the United States Army and the United States Army Military Police Regimental Association. He is an associate member of the National Guard Association of the United States and the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.
Mr. Carragher was raised in Newington, Connecticut and currently resides in Southington, Connecticut with his wife Lucy.