Kumagai assumes battalion CSM post

Joseph Ryoichi DeLeon Guerrero Kumagai

Saipan-born Joseph Ryoichi DeLeon Guerrero Kumagai of the U.S. Army was promoted early this month to take on the responsibility of Battalion Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion 196th Infantry in Guam. As CSM, Kumagai is in charge of providing support and advises other commanding officers from battalion level and up.

The mission of the 3rd Battalion, 196th Infantry Brigade is to provide professional, high quality, and responsive training support to reserve component units in Guam, Saipan, and Tinian to sustain or improve unit pre-mobilization readiness in the areas of operational capability, logistics, and administration to perform the commander in chief missions.

According to Kumagai’s wife, Alvilynn, her husband, who is the son of the late Tadao Kumagai and late Rosario DLG Kumagai (Familian Ojisan), served the Army Reserve on Saipan for five years from 1990 to 1995, entered active duty in November 1995 and is still serving the nation up to now.

Kumagai graduated from Marianas High School in 1991 and finished his One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia as an infantryman in September.

“We have been married for 14 wonderful years. We have eight children (Joseph Jr., Keoki, Justin Ray, Vianna, Kikowa, Keanu, Alveah-Jo, and Javin), five grandchildren (Kainoa, Jordan, Kekonakai, Kaelyn, Kylie-Analeigh, and Aiden) and our family continues to grow. …It’s a blessing to be closer to home and having our youngest who is 3 years old learn the culture,” she added.

Kumagai started his illustrious military career as a member of the 100th BN, 442D INF (Saipan) from 1990 to 1995, where he served as a rifleman and Team Leader. “He entered active duty in November of 1995 and was given various assignments that includes Rifleman, SAW Gunner, Team Leader and Sniper Squad Leader 3rd BN 187th INF, Fort Campbell, KY. CSM Kumagai went on to serve with the 1st BN 28th INF and the 120th AG BN, at Ft. Jackson, SC as a Basic Combat Training Drill Sergeant and Fitness Training Unit Drill Sergeant,” Alvilynn Kumagai said.

“After being on Drill Sergeant duty, Kumagai was assigned to a dependent restricted tour in South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division as Operations Sergeant in the Division G3 Operations. He then joined the 82nd ABN Division and served as Platoon Sergeant with C Co & HHC 1st BN 508th PIR, deploying to Afghanistan in 2007. He received orders for a Recovery Team Sergeant position with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii, where he was part of the recovery efforts to repatriate missing-in-action Americans from our nation’s past conflicts,” she added.

Over the years, Kumagai kept reaping promotions, assignments and earning his degree. In 2013, he was assigned to A Co 1st BN 502nd INF as the Company First Sergeant and deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom XV. While deployed, he was selected to attend the USASMA where he earned his associate in applied science degree in Administrative/Management Studies from Excelsior College and the rank of Sergeant Major. In August of 2016, Kumagai was assigned as the Operations SGM for the IRON Rakkasans, 3rd Battalion, 187th IN. Kumagai deployed with Task Force Iron in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel as the Task Force Operations Sergeant Major.

“Three years ago, Kumagai assumed responsibilities of 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment, 3 BCT, 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell Kentucky, where he served for 28 months as the battalion CSM. In February 2020, Kumagai relinquished his command and served as the 3BCT Rakkasans Operations SGM until March 2021.

Aside from several military promotions, Kumagai also prides himself with skill badges that he has earned that includes the Air Assault Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

“His military career is everything to him. He doesn’t have a typical 9-to-5 job. There may be late nights, sometimes weekends or even long months due to training, but that’s part of his job. With that, he knows I got his back and we have an understanding that no matter the distance or the length of time, we always have each other,” Alvilynn Kumagai said.