Brigadier General Bruce E. Oliveira

January 21, 2025

Brig. Gen. Bruce E. Oliveira assumed duties as Commander, Land Component Command for the Hawaii National Guard. He is responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all programs, policies, and plans affecting the Hawaii Army National Guard, ensuring the force is capable of executing global unified land operations and community based domestic operations.

Oliveira enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard on Aug. 1, 1978. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from the Hawaii Military Academy in June 1980. General Oliveira has served in a variety of command and staff positions in the 29th Infantry Brigade and the 25th Infantry Division throughout his career. He was activated for federal service on Aug. 15, 2004 and served as Deputy Commander, 29th Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 thru 2006. In June 2007, he assumed duties as Commander, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. On Aug. 19, 2008, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom serving as Commander, Task Force Lava Thunder responsible for 3,100 Soldiers from Arizona, Oklahoma, Samoa, Guam, Saipan and the five major Hawaiian Islands. Oliveira assumed duties as Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Hawaii National Guard and the Director of the Joint Staff on June 1, 2010. He served as principal advisor to the Adjutant General and was responsible for assisting the Adjutant General in formulating, developing and coordinating all programs, policies, and plans affecting the Hawaii Army National Guard and its more than 3,000 citizen Soldiers.

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with I Silver and I Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with I Bronze Service Star)
Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass and M Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 2)
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with numeral 2)
Combat Infantry Badge
Air Assault Badge

Last updated August 2015

1992
2000
Change of Command 2007
Change of Command 2015

Outstanding Officers Selected

Capt. Bruce E. Oliveira

Outstanding Guard officers selected page 3

(Pictures from the 1992 May – June Pūpūkahi)

Hawaii National Guard Association (HNGA) members and their families braved stormy weather during the Memorial Day weekend to attend the association’s 43rd annual conference at the Turtle Bay Hilton, May 22-24. Members attended morning business meetings and enjoyed an afternoon of sports and recreation before attending Saturday evening’s awards banquet

The highlight of the banquet was the announcement of this year’s top Hawaii National Guard officers and a special recognition award:

Outstanding Officer of the Year -Capt. Bruce E. Oliveira, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry

– 1992 May – June Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Hawaii National Guard Association officers of the year announced

Lt. Col. Bruce E. Olivera

(Picture from the 2000 January – February Pūpūkahi)

Officer: Lt. Col. Bruce E. Olivera, Detachment-Rear Operations Cell, 25th Infantry Division (Light) commander.
– 2000 January – February Pūpūkahi pp. 7

Oliveira Takes Command of Brigade

SYMBOL OF COMMAND – Col. Bruce E. Oliveira accepts the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team guidon from Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, the adjutant general.

COMMANDERS’ WIVES – Jeanne Oliveira (in white), Paulette Chaves and Judi Lee, head the list of families and friends in attendance at the change of command ceremony held in June.

Oliveira takes over Brigade from Chaves pg. 5

(Pictures from the 2007 April – June Pūpūkahi)

June 23 began a new era for the reorganized 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as Col. Bruce E. Oliveira took command from Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Chaves at the change of command ceremony held at the Kalaeloa headquarters.

“I … know that you will continue to shoulder the load, wherever you place boots on the ground to preserve the peace and freedom of our great nation.” — Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Chaves

Chaves closes out his four-year command of the brigade while continuing as the commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, where he has served since being appointed in April 2006.

The Brigade, which traces its roots to November 1947, was organized as the 29th in January 1959 under the command of Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Schaefer III. The unit was federally activated for service in Vietnam on May 13, 1968, with Schaefer returning as commander.

Thirty-six years later, in August 2004, the Brigade was again reorganized and activated — this time to support the war on terrorism for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, with Chaves in command and Oliveira as his deputy commander.

Oliveira, like Chaves, holds a degree in education, but unlike the general, was a traditional drill-status Soldier. He has taken leave from his Department of Education position to serve as the full-time commander of the Brigade.
– 2007 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Hawaii Army National Guard Change Of Command

From left: Brig. Gen. Keith Y. Tamashiro, Maj. Gen. Arthur J. Logan, Brig. Gen. Bruce E. Oliveira stand at attention during the Hawaii Army National Guard change of command ceremony Aug. 2, 2015 at Kalaeloa, Hawaii. Brig. Gen. Bruce E. Oliveira relinquished authority to Brig. Gen. Keith Y. Tamashiro as the new HIARNG commander. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Sheldon/Released) — Hawaii Army National Guard Change Of Command