Guam Homeland Security Advisor, Esther J. C. Aguigui

Major General (GU, Ret.) Esther J. C. Aguigui is the Governor’s Special Assistant for Homeland Security. As the Homeland Security Advisor, she is overall responsible for the Government of Guam’s Office of Homeland Security. Her primary duties and responsibilities include all activities related to the protection of Guam and its people from terrorism, invasion, insurrection, rebellion, lawless violence, or similar threat.

Aguigui is the immediate past Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard and the Director of Military Affairs. As the 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.

Aguigui 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, Aguigui transferred to the Guam Air National Guard and served as the First Sergeant of the 254th Civil Engineer Squadron. In 1999, Aguigui joined the Guam Army National Guard and served in various assignments to include Aide de Camp, commander of the 294th Military Intelligence Detachment, commander of the Guam Army National Guard (GUARNG) Element, and commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. As the GUARNG commander, she was dual hatted as the Chief of the J1 Casualty Branch. In 2006, Aguigui served as Deputy, Senior Counterintelligence Officer for Joint Special Operations Task Force and the Liaison Officer to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan.

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.


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, Texas


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