ANTONIO J. VICENS-GONZALEZ, SMA ’65 Major General,

Antonio Vicens-Gonzalez attended Staunton Military Academy (SMA) in Virginia from 1961 – 1965. He was a member of the Howie Rifles in his junior and senior year and was Company Commander of Foxtrot Company in 1965. After graduating from SMA, he received a B.B.A-Management Degree from the University of and , in 1972, he entered the Officer Candidate School of the Puerto Rico National Guard.

The following is a resume of his distinguished military career:

• Distinguished Military Graduate of the Officer Candidate School from the Puerto Rico National Guard class #9 of 1972 at the Joint Maneuver Training Center in Camp Santiago, 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 College Central Michigan University. • Vicens' first assignment was from June 1972 to February 1974 where he served as Platoon Leader in Troop E 192nd CAV, PR ARNG. • From March 1974 to May 1974 he attended the Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. • From May 1974 to June 1979 he served as a Platoon Leader in Troop E 192d CAV, PR ARNG. • From July 1979 to December 1979 he served as the Executive Officer of Troop E 192d CAV PR ARNG. • From December 1979 to November 1980 he held the position of S-3 Air in the 165th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG. • In November 1980 he attended the Joint Firepower School at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He then returned to his duties as S-3 Air in the 165th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG and remained there until June 1981. • From June 1981 to June 1985, he Commanded the Combat Support Company of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG. • From June 1985 to November 1985, he served as the Motor Officer of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG. • From November 1985 to August 1986 he served as the S-2 of 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG. • From August 1986 to November 1987 he served as the Assistant S-3 of 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PR ARNG. • From November 1987 to September 1990 he served as the S-2 of the 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PR ARNG. • From September 1990 to March 1994, he served as the Executive Officer of 1-295th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG. • From March 1994 to August 1997, he commanded 1-65th Infantry Battalion, PR ARNG. • From August 1997 to July 1998 he served as the S-3 of the 92nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), PR ARNG. • 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), PR ARNG. • 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).

Major General Antonio J. Vicens-Gonzalez was the 18th Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard from January 2, 2009 – 19 July 2013. 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, and Puerto Rico State Guard. According the National Guard website, MGEN Vicen-Gonzalez retired after 2013.

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

Major awards and decorations are:

• Legion of Merit • Meritorious Service Medal • Army Commendation Medal • Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 4 Oak Leave Clusters) • National Defense Service Medal • Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass Device) • Army Service Ribbon • Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon In addition to being in the Staunton Military Academy Hall of Fame, General Vicens- Gonzalez has been inducted into both the Hall of Fame of the Officer Candidate School, Puerto Rico National Guard in , Puerto Rico, and The Inter-American Defense College, Ft. McNair, Washington DC.

From Wikipedia and www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/ngbgomo/bios.aspx?lookup=v. Edits by Kelly McGavock, SMA ‘59