Guam Homeland Security Advisor, Esther J. C. Aguigui

Esther J. C. Aguigui serves as the Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of Guam and Acting Administrator, Office of Civil Defense. Appointed by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero on June 3, 2023, under authority of 4 GCA §2101, she leads the Government of Guam’s Office of Homeland Security and Civil Defense (OHS-OCD), advising the Governor on all matters relating to homeland security, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection for Guam and the Mariana Islands region.

In her dual role as Acting Administrator, Office of Civil Defense, assigned by the Governor effective May 19, 2025, Aguigui exercises consolidated command and control authority over all OHS-OCD personnel, expenditures, and administrative and operational directives, as confirmed by the Governor’s memorandum of May 23, 2025. She oversees a substantial federal grant portfolio spanning the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Non-profit Security Grant (NSGP) programs. Under her leadership in Fiscal Year 2025, Guam secured over $10 million in federal homeland security and emergency preparedness funding — the largest combined award in these categories in Guam’s history — including $5.84 million for next-generation public warning systems and $2.75 million for personnel, equipment, and training.

Aguigui serves as the administrative and operational authority for the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC) and the Guam Recovery Office (GRO), and represents Guam as a member of the 2025 Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council. She chairs the Defense of Guam sub-committee under the Governor’s Civilian-Military Community Council and led the planning and execution of Exercise Black Hydra — the first in a series of three tabletop exercises designed to shape Guam’s Defense of Guam Plan. She serves on the Guam AI Regulatory Task Force (established under Public Law 38- 77), chairing the Subcommittee on U.S. and International AI Policies, Guidelines, and Infrastructure. As Deputy Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC), she collaborates with the Office of Technology to enhance communications capabilities among public safety responders across all government levels.

Among her landmark achievements as Homeland Security Advisor, Aguigui led development of Guam’s first territorial cybersecurity strategic plan, Pacific CyberGuard “Kontra I Piligro” (2023–2025), approved by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). She conceptualized and executed Guam’s first cybersecurity tabletop exercise, supported by FEMA’s National Level Exercise Division and the Department of Homeland Security, bringing together over 200 participants from local, territorial, federal, and military organizations.

Aguigui is the immediate past Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard and Director of Military Affairs, having served from January 28, 2019 to February 28, 2023. As Adjutant General, she was the senior military advisor to the Governor of Guam and commander of the Guam National Guard, responsible for the training, readiness, management, and combat effectiveness of approximately 1,600 Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians.

She has over 37 years of distinguished military service. She entered the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1985 as an Information Management Specialist in the 44th Aerial Port Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam. In 1996, she transferred to the Guam Air National Guard and served as First Sergeant of the 254th Civil Engineer Squadron. In 1999, she joined the Guam Army National Guard and served in various assignments including Aide de Camp, Commander of the 294th Military Intelligence Detachment, Commander of the Guam Army National Guard Element, and Commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. In 2006, she served as Deputy Senior Counterintelligence Officer for Joint Special Operations Task Force and Liaison Officer to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan.

Prior to her military and homeland security career, Aguigui served 16 years as a teacher with the Guam Department of Education (1985–2001), specializing in special education instruction, IEP development, and transition services. She spearheaded the “School to Work” program at George Washington High School — now known as Pre-Employment Transition Services — and built accountability systems for federal compliance, work she carries forward today in her approach to civil rights, accessibility, and inclusive public service.
 

COMMISSIONING SOURCE:

• Direct Commission

EDUCATIONAL DEGREES:

• 2017— Master of Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA.
• 1989 — Bachelor of Arts, Education, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2024 — Certificate, Homeland Security Pacific Executive Leaders Program, Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Hilo, HI

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Army Commendation Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Army Achievement Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Air Reserve Meritorious Service Award
• National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass)
• Army Service Ribbon
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon
• Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
• Air Force Longevity Service Award (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate
• Air Force Training Ribbon
• Army Physical Fitness Badge
• Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge
• Guam Commendation Medal
• Louisiana Commendation Medal
• Louisiana Emergency Service Medal

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:

• Ambassador – Guam, Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation
• Member (Life), United States Army War College
• Member, Association of the United States Army
• Member (Life), National Guard Association of the United States
• Member (Life), National Guard Association of Guam
• Member (Life), Military Officers Association
• Member (Life) Reserve Officers Association
• Member (Life), National Women Veterans Association
• Member (Life), Guam Women Veterans Association
• Member, Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION::

• 05 May 2019 — Major General (GU)
• 15 March 2019 — Colonel (GU)
• 14 April 2014 — Lieutenant Colonel
• 20 August 2008 — Major
• 16 January 2004 — Captain
• 26 July 2001 — First Lieutenant
• 29 July 1999 — Second Lieutenant

MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED:

• 2017 — U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA. (in residence)
• 2017 — Defense Support of Civil Authorities Level I and II
• 2017 — Joint Professional Military Education Level II
• 2014 — U.S. Army National Guard Recruiting Pre-Command Course, Little Rock, AR
• 2014 — Joint Professional Military Education Level 1/MEL4 (Intermediate Level Education Advanced Operations Course)
• 2011 — U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer Course, Huntsville, AL.
• 2004 — U.S. Army Counterintelligence Officer Course, Sierra Vista, AZ.
• 2004 — U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer Captain’s Career Course, Sierra Vista, AZ
• 2000 — U.S. Army Adjutant General Officer Basic Course, Columbia, SC
• 1998 — U.S. Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Montgomery, AL.
• 1986 — U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training, San Antonio, TX

ASSIGNMENTS:

• 18 July 2020 — Guam Homeland Security – Homeland Security Advisor
• 28 January 2019 — Joint Force HQ – Adjutant General
• 16 August 2017 — GUARNG Element, Joint Force HQ – Chief, Facilities Management Office
• 27 July 2016 — U.S. Army War College
• 4 June 2016 — GUARNG Element, Joint Force HQ – Executive Officer
• 10 July 2014 — Guam Recruiting & Retention Battalion – Commander
• 22 May 2014 — GUARNG Element, Joint Force HQ – Human Resource Officer
• 31 May 2012 — GUARNG Element, Joint Force HQ – Commander
• 01 April 2010 — 105 th Troop Command – S-2/S-3
• 19 January 2007 — GUARNG Element, Joint Force HQ – Secretary of General Staff
• 22 April 2006 — Joint Special Operations Task Force – Deputy J2X
• 23 March 2006 — 294 th Military Intelligence CI FWD 2, GUARNG – Commander
• 04 May 2002 — 294 th Military Intelligence Detachment – Commander
• 03 September 2001 — HHD, Guam Territorial Command – Aide de Camp
• 29 July, 1990 — HHD, Guam Territorial Command – Family Programs Coordinator