Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader

Command Sergeant Major James Jimenez

Hawaii Army National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader

Command Sgt. Maj. Jimenez is a native of Lihue, Kauai and graduated from Kauai High School. In 1987 he enlisted in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard (HIARNG) under the split training option. He attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, Ga during the summer of 1987 and after completing high school he returned to Fort Benning to attend the Indirect Fire Infantryman Course. Upon completion of his initial entry training, Jimenez was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Battalion.

In 1989, Jimenez left the HIARNG and enlisted in the active Army. He was assigned to Headquarters Company 1st 69th Armor Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany as a Mortar Section Gunner. Jimenez’s unit was assigned to provide rear base security in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Jimenez was then assigned to the 3rd 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division located in Ft Campbell, Ky. as a squad leader.

In 1992, Jimenez returned to the HIARNG and has held numerous leadership assignments within the HIARNG and the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (29th IBCT). These assignments include mortar squad leader and mortar section leader for A Company, 2-299th Infantry, ANCOC Small Group Leader and BNCOC Branch Chief at the 298th Regional Training Institute, Intelligence Sergeant for the 29th IBCT (OIF III), 1SG for A Company 2-299th Infantry, 1SG for Troop C 1-299th Calvary, 1SG in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines VII and VIII, Command Sergeant Major of the 29th Brigade Support Battalion, Command Sergeant Major of the 29th IBCT, and Command Sergeant Major for the Multi-National Battle Group East in support of Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo Forces 25. Jimenez is currently assigned as the Command Sergeant Major for the HIARNG.

Jimenez’s military and civilian education include; the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic and Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Course, the United States Army Sergeant Major Course, Battalion and Brigade Sergeant Major Pre Command Course, the Total Army Instructor Course, the Small Group Instructor Course, the Support Operations Course, the Air Assault School, and the Jungle School. Jimenez holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration.

Jimenez awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4th OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4th OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd OLC), National Defense Service Medal (1st Bronze Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (2nd Campaign Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device (2nd Award) with 30 year device- gold hourglass, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 5), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (Numeral 3), NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, and the German Shuetzenschnur (Gold).

Jimenez is married to the former Shanlee Garma of Wailua.