A Filipino-American makes history as the first Filipino soldier to attain the rank of General Officer in the history of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard (HIARNG).
Colonel Roy J. Macaraeg was promoted to brigadier general in a ceremony held at Washington Place.
Macaraeg’s family and friends and current and retired military co-workers from the Guard and active duty attended the ceremony.
He enlisted in the HIARNG in 1990, and was hailed as the HIARNG Soldier of the Year in 1993, according to a press release from the Hawaii Governors Office.
He was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 1996 upon his graduation from the Hawaii Military Academy.
During his 29-years of service, Macaraeg has risen through the ranks and held various positions, including posts at the Pentagon and deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Kosovo.
His experiences has earned him numerous awards and decorations.
Macaraeg is an alumnus of Wallace Rider Farrington High School and holds an Associate Degree from Honolulu Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi – Mānoa, a Master of Business Administration from Touro University, and a Master of Science in National Strategy from the prestigious National War College.
He is married to his high school sweetheart, Bene and they have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter, Chloe Anne. (MN)
