CSM Vernon A. Nakasone Biography

Vernon A. Nakasone assumed the position of the State Command Sergeant Major in 1999Jul to 2006Dec.

As the State CSM he has a responsibility to oversee an authorized strength of approximately 5300 enlisted personnel in both the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard. He serves as on the Special Staff and is also takes care of the personnel in the Army National Guard.

Nakasone previously served as the Command Sergeant Major of the 298th Regiment-Regional Training Institute from May 1997 to July 1999.  His previous assignments covered an array of duties to include tactical communications chief, aircraft maintenance supervisor, Platoon Sergeant, Battalion communications chief, First Sergeant of Company C, 193d Aviation, communication chief at the State Headquarters.

Nakasone began his military career in the USAF in Dec 1971 where he served as an avionics technician until July 1975.  He then enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in April 1976, and attained the rank of Sergeant Major in April 1998.

Nakasone was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 7 March 1953. Graduated in 1971 and attended Leeward Community College with an Associate degrees in Information and Computer Service, and Liberal Arts.  His military education includes his advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course in June 1981 and the United States Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas in June 1999.

Nakasone awards and decorations includes the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, the Hawaii Army National Guards, Medal for Merit, Service Medal, and several State Awards and Ribbons.

His is currently serves as the vice president of the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association and also serves on the Council as the secretary for the National Guard Association of Hawaii Insurance, Inc (Hawaii Guard Insurance Program).

SCSM Nakasone and his wife Aimee reside in Wahiawsa with their two children Keith and Jennifer.

Civilian Education

1986  Associates Degree, Liberal Arts, Leeward Community College; 1986  Associates Degree, Information & Computer Sciences, Leeward Community College; 1971  Graduate, Roosevelt High School, Honolulu, HI

(Federal): 1997-11  OSHA Electrical Safety Standards 24 hrs; 1997-06  Methods of Managing Quality (TQL) 40 hrs; 1997-04  Fundamentals of Total Quality Leadership 40 hrs; 1994-05  Total Quality Leadership Awareness 24 hrs; 1993-06  Total Quality Leadership Awareness 8 hrs; 1990-06  Fire Alarm Systems, Operation & Maint 56 hrs; 1986-03  Sexual Harassment / Equal Opportunity 8 hrs

Significant Experiences: (Civilian)

  • Nov 84 to Aug 99  Electronics Mechanic WG-10,  Facilities Dept., Electric Shop, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay
  • Apr 76 to Nov 84  Electronics Mechanic (Avionics) WG-11, National Guard Technician, Army Aviation Support Facility #1, Wheeler AFB, Hawaii

Military Education

  • USA 1999-06  US Army Sergeant’s Major Course, Fort Bliss, TX ;
  • 1994-11 Revised Battlefield Electronic CEOI / SOI Systems, 80 hrs  Fort Shafter, HI;
  • 1993-05 COMSEC Commodity, Logistics Accounting & Information Systems  40 hrs, Fort Huachuca, AZ;
  • 1992-06 DA Standardized COMSEC Custodian Course, 80 hrs Fort Kamehameha, HI;
  • 1990-10 Single Channel Ground / Airborne Radio Systems Course, 40 hrs Fort DeRussy, HI ;
  • 1988-06 Generator Operator Course, 40 hrs Schofield Barracks, HI ;
  • 1984 Aircraft Maintenance Senior Sergeant Course, 80 credit hrs USA Aviation Correspondence Course;
  • 1983-11 Crypto Facility Custodian Course, 40 hrs Fort DeRussy, HI;
  • 1981-06 Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, 6 wks Fort Ruger, HI;
  • 1979-09 AH-1G Familiarization and Stability & Control Augmentation Systems 40 hrs, Fort Huachuca, AZ;
  • 1976-07 CBR Officer / NCO Course, 40 hrs, Schofield Barracks, HI;  
  • 1973-11 F4 Aircraft Electronics Navigation Equipment Technician, 160 hrs, George AFB, CA;
  • 1973 Avionics Systems Specialist, 165 credit hours, Extension Course Institute (Correspondence);
  • 1972-11 Avionics Navigation Equipment Technician, 80 hrs Hickam AFB, HI;
  • 1972-10  Avionics  Navigation Systems Specialist, 33 wks Keesler AFB, MS

USAF service 

  • 1974-11 to 1975-07 Avionics Navigation Systems Technician, CCK AB, Taichung,  Taiwan;
  • 1974-01 to 1974-11 Avionics Navigation Systems Technician, 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand;
  • 1973-11 to 1973-12 F4 Avionics Navigation Equipment Technician TDY,  George AFB, CA;
  • 1972–11 to 1973-10 Avionics Navigation Systems Specialist, 15th Avionic Maintenance Sq., Hickam AFB,  HI;
  • 1972-02 to 1972-10 3385th Student Squadron  (Tech School), Keesler AFB, MS;
  • 1971-12 to 1972-02 Basic Training, USAF, Lackland AFB, TX

HIARNG Service

  • 1999-08 to CSM(AGR), DoD,  State of Hawaii;
  • 1997-05 to 1999-08 CSM / Dir. NCO Education System, 298th Regiment, Regional Training Institute;
  • 1992-03 to 1997-05 Communications Chief / Signal Support Systems NCO, Headquarters, STARC;
  • 1991-05 to 1992-02 1SG C, 1st Bn, 193rd Aviation;
  • 1986-10 1991-04 Battalion Communications Chief, 193rd Aviation Bn (Atk Hel), Wheeler AFB, HI;
  • 1985-10 to 1986-09 Platoon Sergeant, 1293rd Aviation Co (Cbt Spt), Wheeler AFB, HI;
  • 1984-10 to 1985-09 Aircraft Component Repair Supervisor, 1293rd Aviation Co;
  • 1983-09 to 1984-09 Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, 1293rd Aviation Co;
  • 1980-09 to 1983-08Aug Tactical Communications Chief, 1293rd Aviation Co(Cbt Spt), Wheeler AFB, HI;
  • 1976-04 to1980-08 Avionic Systems Repairman, 293rd Service Co, Wheeler AFB, HI;
  • 1976-04 Enlisted HIARNG

Awards and Decorations

  • MSM, ARCOM – 2nd Award,
  • AiF Good Conduct Medal, ARCAM,
  • National Defense Service Medal – 2nd Award,
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal,  
  • NCOPD Ribbon – 3,
  • Army Service Ribbon,
  • AF Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour),
  • HING Medal for Merit,
  • HING Commendation Medal,
  • HING Service Medal,
  • HING State Active Duty Ribbon,
  • HING Hurricane Iniki Ribbon