Native son is sergeant major in the US Army

Vincent F. Camacho, originally form Saipan, is currently serving as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Rakkasans, 101 Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell in Kentucky.

Camacho was born on July 16, 1964 on Saipan to the late Vicente S. Camacho and Estafania F. Camacho, the youngest of the 10 children. He entered the U.S. Army in Feb. 15, 1983 right out of high school, completing Basic Training as an infantryman and graduating from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Camacho has served in the following positions and organizations: Rifleman, Machine Gunner, Scout Team leader in 1/502nd, and Company First Sergeant in 2/502nd, 101st Air Assault, Fort Campbell, Ky.; Rifle Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Company First Sergeant in 1/27 “Wolfhounds”, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Squad Leader in 2/75 Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington; Ranger Instructor in 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Dahlonega, Georgia; Command Sergeant Major for 2-22nd Infantry, Fort Drum, New York; and currently Command Sergeant Major for 3/187 “Iron Rakkasans” 3rd Brigade, 101st. Airborne (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Camacho has attended all levels of Noncommissioned Officers Education System, culminating with the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class52). He is a graduate of the Primary leadership course, Basic Noncommissioned officer course, Advance Noncommissioned officer course, and the First Sergeant course, as well as numerous infantry and special operations- related schools. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (5th oak leaf Cluster), the Good Conduct Medal (7th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, the Global war on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global war on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 4), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Nato Medal both, the Expert Infantryman Badge and Combat Infantryman Badges, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Camacho is married for 20 years to the former Rose Marie Pangelinan and the couple currently reside in Clarksville, Tennessee with their children, Ruarke Anthony, 19, Cierra, 16, Sienna, 13 and Rhodrick Ayden, 2. (PR)