BARRIGADA, GUAM — Col. Roderick R. Leon Guerrero, whose military service includes deployments to Afghanistan, will be the next adjutant general of the Guam National Guard.
Leon Guerrero is assuming the Guam Guard's top leadership position in light of the upcoming retirement of Maj. Gen. Benny Paulino, the governor's office announced yesterday.
Leon Guerrero's appointment must be approved by the Legislature.
He is the second-highest in the Guam Guard leadership as chief of Joint Staff.
Almost three decades
Leon Guerrero received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1989 and has served the island and the nation for almost 30 years, according to the governor's office.
"Col. Leon Guerrero's service over the years, including deployments to Afghanistan, his time as an instructor, and his tenure as the chief of Joint Staff for the Guard has prepared him for his new role," Gov. Eddie Calvo said in a press release.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said Leon Guerrero's "institutional knowledge and leadership will serve the Guam National Guard well over the coming years."
Thanks to Paulino
Bordallo also thanked Paulino. Paulino "oversaw the largest deployment of Guam guardsmen in the history of the Guam National Guard to support of Operation Enduring Freedom," Bordallo said.
Paulino first became the Guam National Guard's adjutant general in 1996 and was reappointed in 2010.
Under Paulino's leadership, the Guard's force grew by more than 25 percent, and funding was secured for the development of the Guam Guard's offices and training complex in Barrigada.
More than 600 members of the Guam National Guard served in Afghanistan during Paulino's tenure.
"Under his watch, Guam guardsmen received accolades and were well-received wherever their deployments led them because of the high-level of training, professionalism, and dedication to their island and country," Calvo said of Paulino.
