Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader
Command Sergeant Major Roy Yamada
Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Yamada was appointed as the Command Sergeant Major for the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard on 17 February 2026, after serving simultaneously as the Command Sergeant Major for the 29th Brigade Support Battalion and G4 SGM for the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard.
He was born on Maui, Hawaiʻi and enlisted in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard’s Delayed Entry Program in 1988 as a junior in high school. He completed the 11B Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga. in December 1989. He reclassified as a 92Y Unit Supply Specialist at Fort Lee, Va. in March 2002.
His past military assignments included the 1st Battalion 299th Infantry, Wailuku, HI; 2nd Battalion 299th Infantry, Hilo, HI; 1st Squadron 299th Cavalry Regiment, Hilo, HI; 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Kapolei, HI; Company D, Forward Support 29th BSB, Kealakekua, HI; and Joint Forces Headquarters, Kapolei, HI.
Yamada’s past positions include Infantry Squad Leader, Unit Supply Sergeant, Squadron S4 NCOIC, Brigade S4 NCOIC, Multi-National Battle Group S4 NCOIC, Task Force Oahu Operations NCOIC, First Sergeant, G4 SGM, and Battalion Command Sergeant Major.
Yamada’s federal deployments include 2004-2006 as a unit supply NCO in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and later from 2008-2009 as a squadron S4 NCOIC in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VIII. He last deployed as the brigade and multinational battle group S4 NCOIC from 2018-2019 in support of Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo Forces.
Yamada’s state deployments range from Hurricane Iniki on Kauai, Puna Lava Flow on Hawaii Island, COVID-19 on Oahu, and the Maui Wildfires on Maui.
His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Senior Leaders Course, Sergeants Major Academy, Nuclear Biological Chemical School, Transportation of Hazardous Material Course, Radiation Safety Officers Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Air Load Planners Course, Contract Officer Representative Training, Battle Staff NCO Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, and Casualty Assistance Officer Course. He is a graduate from the Lahainaluna High School on Maui and attended the Maui Community College.
Yamada’s awards and decorations include; the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 Silver OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 Silver OLC), Army Good Conduct Award (5th award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2nd award with 30 years and “M” device), Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (4), NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Balkans.
He married the former Kimberly Gaspar of Kahului on Sept. 05, 1995, and has three grown daughters.