Brigadier General Roy J. Macaraeg of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard (HIARNG) is the Filipino soldier to rise from the ranks to become a General Officer.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Defense report revealed that BG Macaraeg is the first Filipino to attain the rank in the documented history of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard.
Colonel Macaraeg was sworn in as a Brigadier General on October 10 in ceremonies administered by Governor David Ige with Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan delivering the remarks at the Washington Place, a national historic landmark in Honolulu.
Macaraeg’s journey to become a Brigadier General in Hawaii began when he enlisted in the HIARNG in 1990. His excellent performance was noted by the army and he was hailed HIARNG Soldier of the Year in 1993.
He went on to become a Distinguished Honor Graduate at the Hawaii Military Academy’s Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 1996.
Macaraeg’s military service career spanning 29 years saw the first Filipino General holding various positions, including posts at the Pentagon and deployments to Iraq, Kosovo, and Kuwait.
He has earned numerous awards and decorations including:
- Legion of Merit (2nd OLC)
- Meritorious Service Medal (6th OLC)
- Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC)
- Army Achievement Medal (1st OLC)
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2nd OLC)
- National Defense Service Medal (1st Bronze Star)
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M Device)
- NATO Non-Article 5 Medal (Balkans)
- Army Identification Staff Badge
- Air Assault Badge
Macaraeg’s formal education also includes:
- Wallace Rider Farrington High School
- Associate Degree from Honolulu Community College
- Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi – Mānoa
- Master of Business Administration from Touro University
- Master of Science in National Strategy from the prestigious National War College
His most recent assignments include serving as the Brigade Commander of the “LAVA Brigade”, 29th IBCT from November 2017 to October 2019.
Defense officials announced Brig. Gen. Roy Macaraeg is headed to the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C. to be assistant director of the Army National Guard for sustainment, installation and environmental issues.
Brig. Gen. Roy Macaraeg is among the many Filipinos from Hawaii and the United States who celebrate their heritage, among them Colonel Ranelle A. Manaois, the first Filipina graduate of West Point, Marvel star Jacob Batalon, and Hollywood actor Mark Dacascos.
SEND congratulations in the comments below to Brig. Gen. Roy J. Macaraeg for showing excellence in his military service!
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