Antonio J. Vicens
Encyclopedia
Antonio J. Vicens-Gonzalez is the 18th Adjutant General
of the Puerto Rico National Guard
since January 2, 2009. The Adjutant General is the Commander of the Puerto Rico
National Guard. As the Adjutant General he is also the Senior Military Advisor to the Governor of Puerto Rico
and oversees both State and Federal Missions of the PR National Guard. He provides effective leadership and management in the implementation of all programs and policies affecting more than 10,500 citizen-soldiers and airmen, and civilian employees of the three components of the PR National Guard: Army National Guard
, Air National Guard
and Puerto Rico State Guard
. MG Vicens holds a B.B.A-Management Degree from the University of Puerto Rico
.
He has been inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame of the Puerto Rico National Guard in Fort Allen, Puerto Rico and The Inter-American Defence College, Ft. McNair, Wahington DC.
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
of the Puerto Rico National Guard
Puerto Rico National Guard
The Puerto Rico National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components with a total authorized strength of 10,000 soldiers and airmen. The Constitution of the United States specifically...
since January 2, 2009. The Adjutant General is the Commander of the Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
National Guard. As the Adjutant General he is also the Senior Military Advisor to the Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
and oversees both State and Federal Missions of the PR National Guard. He provides effective leadership and management in the implementation of all programs and policies affecting more than 10,500 citizen-soldiers and airmen, and civilian employees of the three components of the PR National Guard: Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
, Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
and Puerto Rico State Guard
Puerto Rico State Guard
The Puerto Rico State Guard is a voluntary professional military corps who offer support for security and medical services in Puerto Rico. The PRSG respond directly to the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, is commanded by a Brigadier general and is composed of main units in San Juan Metropolitan...
. MG Vicens holds a B.B.A-Management Degree from the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
.
Military career
- Major general (United States)Major general (United States)In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Vicens was the Distinguished Military Graduate of the Officer Candidate SchoolOfficer Candidate SchoolOfficer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
from the Puerto Rico National Guard class #9 of 1972 at the Joint Maneuver Training Center in Camp SantiagoCamp SantiagoCamp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center is the Puerto Rico National Guard training center on 12,000 acres of land located in Salinas, Puerto Rico.-Installation:...
, Salinas PR. - His military school and courses included Joint Firepower control Course, Jungle Warfare Training Course, Command and General Staff Course, Infantry Brigade and Battalion Commander's Course, Inter-American Defense CollegeInter-American Defense CollegeThe Inter-American Defense College is an international educational institution located in Washington D.C., United States, operating under the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Defense Board ....
Central Michigan University. - Major general (United States)Major general (United States)In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Vicens' first assignment was from June 1972 to February 1974 where he served as Platoon Leader in Troop E 192nd CAV, PRARNG. - From March 1974 to May 1974 he attended the Armor School at Fort KnoxFort KnoxFort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Kentucky. - From May 1974 to June 1979 he served as a Platoon Leader in Troop E 192d CAV, PRARNG.
- From July 1979 to December 1979 he served as the Executive Officer of Troop E 192d CAV PRARNG.
- From December 1979 to November 1980 he held the position of S-3 Air in the 165th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- In November 1980 he attended the Joint Firepower School at Eglin Air Force BaseEglin Air Force BaseEglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
, Florida. He then returned to his duties as S-3 Air in the 165th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG and remained there until June 1981. - From June 1981 to June 1985, he Commanded the Combat Support Company of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- From June 1985 to November 1985, he served as the Motor Officer of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- From November 1985 to August 1986 he served as the S-2 of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- From August 1986 to November 1987 he served as the Assistant S-3 of 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PRARNG.
- From November 1987 to January 1989 he served as the S-2 of the 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PRARNG.
- From January 1989 to December 1989, he attended the Command and General Staff Course at Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, Georgia. - From December 1989 to September 1990 he resumed his duties as the S-2 of the 92nd Infantry Brigade, (Separate), PRARNG.
- From September 1990 to March 1994, he served as the Executive Officer of 1-295th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- From March 1994 to November 1994, he commanded 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- In November 1994, he attended the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.
- From November 1994 to August 1997, he resumed his duties as commander of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PRARNG.
- From August 1997 to July 1998 he served as the S-3 of the 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PRARNG.
- From July 1998 to June 1999, he attended the Inter-American Defense College at Fort McNair, Washington, DC.
- From June 1999 to January 2000, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PRARNG.
- From February 2000 to March 2004, he served as the Deputy Adjutant General (Army), of the Puerto Rico National Guard.
- From March 2004 to October 2005, served as the commander of the 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate).
- From October 2005 to January 2009, he served in USAR Control Group (Retired).
- Since January 2009 he has served as the Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard.
Effective dates of promotion
- 2LT ARNG 18 JUN 72.
- 1LT ARNG 17 JUN 75.
- CPT ARNG 12 SEP 80.
- MAJ ARNG 04 NOV 86.
- LTC ARNG 18 APR 94.
- COL ARNG 19 FEB 99.
- BG ARNG 06 OCT 00.
- MG ARNG 30 JUN 11.
Awards and decorations
Majors awards and decorations are:
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Army Commendation Medal- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 4 Oak Leave Clusters)
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Armed Forces Reserve MedalArmed Forces Reserve MedalThe Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America....
(with Silver Hourglass Device)
Army Service RibbonArmy Service RibbonThe Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
Army Reserve Component Overseas Training RibbonOverseas Service RibbonAn Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,...
He has been inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame of the Puerto Rico National Guard in Fort Allen, Puerto Rico and The Inter-American Defence College, Ft. McNair, Wahington DC.