Camacho promoted to lieutenant colonel in US Army

Lawrence Fejeran Camacho, one of the few CNMI individuals currently serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, was promoted to lieutenant colonel effective Jan. 1, 2014.

Camacho’s 16 years of distinguished military service includes a variety of operational assignments, overseas tours, and a vast military and civilian education. He received his active duty commission into the U.S. Army upon his graduation from the University of Guam in 1997. Upon his graduation from the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Redstone Arsenal, AL, in 1998 he was assigned to the Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Polk, LA where he served as platoon leader, combat equipment production control officer, and regimental supply management officer. While assigned to the regiment, he deployed with Task Force Eagle and NATO Forces in support of Operation Joint Guard in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 2001, upon his graduation from the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course at Fort Lee, VA, and the Combined Arms Staff Services School at Fort Leavenworth, KS, Camacho was assigned to the Division Support Command and 15th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX, where he served as brigade material readiness officer and then as company commander. In 2004, as the commanding officer of 250 soldiers he deployed his unit into combat operations in Iraq and provided sustainment support to the Blackjack Brigade (mechanized), particularly during the intense battle to retake Fallujah under coalition control; the coalition’s fight for Najaf against Muktada Al-Sadr’s Army; as well as securing the North Babil and surrounding districts in Baghdad in order to set conditions for Iraq’s historic first national election.

In 2005, Camacho was assigned to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA, where he served as assistant professor of Military Science and Leadership. In 2007, he was assigned to 501st Sustainment Brigade at Camp Carroll, South Korea where he served as Combat Fleet Readiness Officer in support of units throughout the South Korea Peninsula. Upon his graduation from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, in 2009 he was assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, GA, where he served as brigade logistics officer and then a brigade support operations officer during deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom VII/Operation New Dawn.

He is currently assigned to the U.S. Central Command, serving at the American Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, as chief of Land Forces Branch, Office of Military Cooperation. Camacho is earmarked for reassignment in February 2014 to the 7th Sustainment Brigade at Fort Eustis, VA, where he will serve as the sustainment brigade support operations officer.

Camacho’s military education includes Command and General Staff College; Combined Arms Staff Services School; Combined Logistics Officer Advance Course; Ordnance Officer Basic Course; Faculty Development Course; Support Operations Officer Course; Defense Institute for Security Assistance Management.

His civilian education includes a master’s in Leadership and Liberal Studies, Duquesne University; master’s in Military Arts and Science in History, Command and General Staff College; a bachelor’s in Public Administration, University of Guam; and associate degree in Business Management, Pasadena City College.

Camacho’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (two awards); Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (three awards); Army Commendation Medal (two awards); National Defense Service Medal (one star); Joint Forces Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal (two campaign stars); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (number four); and the NATO Medal. He is a recipient of the Combat Action Badge.

He is the son of Luis B. and Ursula F. (deceased) Camacho of San Roque and is married to Gina Duenas Camacho, daughter of Ben C. and Annie DLG. Duenas of Chalan Kiya. They have three children: Vince Lui, Gregory Jacob, and Tamara Ann. Vince Lui is an active-duty first lieutenant serving in the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY, while Gregory Jacob is an Army specialist serving in the Alabama National Guard.