JESUS CAMACHO MUNA

Personal Background

Spouse: Dorothea Camacho Muna
Children:
– Jesus Camacho Muna Jr. (deceased)
– Geraldine, married to SFC Mark Mendiola
Grandsons: Markie and Michael
– Caroline, married to Jered Lutu
Granddaughter: Jaydin
– Capt. Alfred Muna, married to Grace Alvarez
Grandson: Alfred, Jr.
Granddaughter: Gabriella

Educational Background:

– Elementary: William S. Reyes Elementary School
– High School: Hopwood Junior High School, Saipan
– Guam Trade and Technical High School, Automotive Mechanic

Extend Education:

– University of Maryland Military Extension—Selective
– LaSalle University, Air Condition and Refrigeration
– El Paso Community College, Marketing

Military Educational Background:

– Sergeants Major Academy—Fort Bliss, Texas, 1989-1990
– Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership Course
– Field and Garrison Logistical Operations Course
– U.S. Army Military Science
– First Sergeant Academy—Vilsec, Germany, 1982
– Tank Master Gunner Course—Fort Knox, Kentucky, 1978
– Advance Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 1978
– Tank Heavy Armor Reclassification Course—Fort Hood, Texas, 1977
– Water Navigational Course—New Ports News, Virginia, 1975
– Non-Commissioned Officers Academy—Fort Dix, New Jersey, 1973
– Basic Leadership Course—Fort Eustis, Virginia, 1973
– Water Craft Operations Skills Certification Course—Fort Eustis, Virginia, 1967

Professional Background:

– Director, Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control, Department of Commerce;
– Director, Veterans Affairs, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs;
– Operations Manager, Wholesale Distribution, Micronesian Brokers, Guam;
– Assistant Operations Manager, Getz Brothers, Guam;
– Retired Sergeant Major (E-9) U.S. Army (25 years)
– Combat Duty Vietnam (Purple Heart)
– Served—Desert Storm, Iraq
– Army Advisor, Oregon National Guards, Redmond, Oregon
– Harbor Master Dispatcher, Naha, Okinawa (Japan)
– Army Harbor Craft Certified Boat Captain, U.S. Army Fort Eustis Transportation School—Williamsburg, Virginia

Hobbies: Deep sea fishing, farming, overhauling vehicle engines, and motorcycle riding.

Q. What do you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that deserve immediate action from our government leaders?

– Economy, Education, and Public Health

– To fix the economy, the CNMI government and the Legislature will have to work together.

– Create a friendly business law and have investment regulatory incentives to attract new investors and improve the current investors through friendly fiscal policy.

– The administration has to focus on the Public School System’s budget request to ensure that schools will have operating funds and that every child is not left behind. Every child should receive quality education on new technologies.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

A. My vision is to install a military recruiting command on-island so we don’t depend on the recruiters from Guam or Hawaii. This way, our young people will have the opportunity to just walk in and seek a military career whenever they are ready. The recruiters presently come once a month or only when asked to come. Another pressing issue is the medical facility provided by Veterans Affairs for our local soldiers who are injured during active duty or during combat duty. These veterans are the most ignored people in the CNMI, despite having served our country with honor to ensure the freedom of our people and country. We need to provide for their special needs on-island. They are CNMI’s local men and women who have risked so much for our freedom.

I will work hard with my fellow congressmen and women to ensure that the government does not come to a standstill because there is no cooperation between the Legislature and the administration. My work in the Legislature is for the people of the CNMI and to ensure there’s always funds for all the young people pursuing higher education, that their scholarship funds are received in a timely manner. I can feel the pain they go through whenever timely support do no come. I was a soldier for 25 years and I fended for myself and my family, away from home and families. It wasn’t easy. For that reason my work is for the people of the CNMI.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking to achieve your vision?

A. The government and the private sector need to focus on hiring qualified people, so concentration must be given toward training our CNMI people to be more productive employees. The buddy system and family relationships need to be phased out to enhance and effectively revive the economy. Every CNMI resident must be trained in his or her expertise or trade to ensure appropriate skills are in place when seeking employment in the government or in the private sector.