Description 

The Adjutant General is the strategic leader of the state’s military forces, which are comprised of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard, and the State Historic Militia. The Adjutant General’s primary responsibility is to ensure that Soldiers and Airmen are well-equipped, trained, and led, so they can perform their federal and state military duties and remain relevant well into the future.

 Major responsibilities of the Adjutant General, in his capacity as the Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, include: Mobilization, Force Structure, Equipment Modernization, Training Management, Facility Management, Military Construction, Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Career Management, Personnel Administration, Family Assistance Programs, Special Programs, Military property and Army/Air National Guard Operations.

 The Adjutant General maintains close association and communication with the National Guard Bureau, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Air Force, Northern Command, Air Mobility Command, and Cyber Command. Associations and memberships may include all veterans’ organizations, as well as professional military organizations. Most notably he maintains active participation in the Adjutant General Association of the United States and the National Guard Association of the United States.

Biography 

Brigadier General Chevalier received his commission into the United States Army in 1990 through the University of Rhode Island Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program. He attended the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. His first assignment was in Troop E, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry as an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader. He would later become the commander of Troop D, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry.

In 2004, Brigadier General Chevalier deployed to Balad, Iraq as the Battalion Operations Officer for the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment responsible for UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook Helicopter flight operations. In 2012, he deployed to Kuwait as the Battalion Commander for the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment commanding an aviation task responsible for both fixed and rotary wing support throughout the CENTCOM Area of Operations. Brigadier General Chevalier went onto serve as the Director of Personnel, the Director of Operations and Training, and the Chief of Staff for the Rhode Island Army National Guard.

Brigadier General Chevalier received his commission into the United States Army in 1990 through the University of Rhode Island Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program. He attended the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. His first assignment was in Troop E, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry as an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader. He would later become the commander of Troop D, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry.

In 2004, Brigadier General Chevalier deployed to Balad, Iraq as the Battalion Operations Officer for the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment responsible for UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook Helicopter flight operations. In 2012, he deployed to Kuwait as the Battalion Commander for the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment commanding an aviation task responsible for both fixed and rotary wing support throughout the CENTCOM Area of Operations. Brigadier General Chevalier went onto serve as the Director of Personnel, the Director of Operations and Training, Chief of Staff for the Rhode Island Army National Guard, the Land Component Commander and the Director of Joint Staff.

EDUCATION:

University of Rhode Island, Bachelors of Arts, Business Administration

United States Naval War College, Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies

Harvard University and Syracuse University, Executive Education Certificate, Leadership in Homeland Security and National Security

Description 

Performs duties related to warrant officer education, management, recruiting and career enhancement including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, discipline, performance, training, awards and recognition. Responsible for formulating and executing the policies and procedures which direct how Warrant Officers of the ARNG are appointed, assigned, evaluated, trained, promoted and separated. Includes reviewing regulations and directives from DA, NGB and other higher headquarters determining local impact and preparing local implementation directives.

 Ensures proper assignments are matched with individual potential. Provides management assistance and advice on appropriate Warrant Officer personnel actions. Plans and coordinates the staffing of Warrant Officer positions with State JFHQ, MSC, and field commanders. Coordinates with the MILPO on personnel matters affecting Warrant Officers. Guides individual Warrant Officers in meeting their career objectives.

 Serves as the principle advisor, counselor, and mentor for all other senior warrant officers. Responsible for developing and implementing a sustaining sponsorship and mentorship program for Warrant Officer Candidates and junior Warrant Officers, that is exportable to all subordinate commands.

Biography 

Chief Warrant Officer Five Hewett assumed the role as Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Rhode Island Army National Guard located at Joint Forces Headquarters in East Greenwich, RI on 1 JUNE 2024.

CW5 Hewett enlisted in the RI Air National Guard 22 Dec 1994. He attended basic training and Initial Technical Training in 1995 and was a ground radar maintainer for the 102^nd Air Control Squadron, N Smithfield, RI. CW5 Hewett was transferred to the 143d Air Wing Avionics Maintenance section in 1997 when the 102^nd was closed for Base Realignment and Closure Commission. CW5 Hewett transferred to the RI Army National Guard in 2004 in order to become a Warrant Officer

CW5 Hewett was appointed as a Warrant Officer through the Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker (now Novosel), Alabama in 2005.

CW5 Hewett is a 255N (Network Management Technician), a member of the RI Defensive Cyber Operations DCO-E) Team, a graduate of Warrant Officer Senior Service Education, Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (and follow on), Warrant Officer Advanced and Warrant Officer Basic Courses. CW5 Hewett also has Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Global Information Assurance Certification Incident Handler (GCIH), EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker, Comptia Project + and Security +, and ITILv3 Foundation, Intermediate IT Service Strategy, IT Service Transition, IT Service Design, IT Service Operation, and IT Service Continual Improvement certifications.

CW5 Hewett’s assignments include RIARNG Deputy Chief of Staff Information Management (CIO)/G6, RIARNG Chief Information Security Officer, Information System Security Manager, Network Manager, 43d MP Brigade G6, Bagram Afghanistan, Information Services Technician RIARNG DCO-E. Deployments include Operation Coronet Oak (2), Operation Joint Forge, Operation Enduring Freedom (2), TRADEWINDS 2018 and 2022, and multiple State Partnership Program exchanges.

CW5 Hewett’s civilian employment includes AT&T Wireless as a cell site integrator and maintainer as well as mobile switching center integrator/operator/maintainer; and Raytheon Technologies as a network integrator, information system security manager, and classified systems IT manager.

Biography 

Command Sergeant Major Michael S. Wong was born in Providence, Rhode Island.  He enlisted into the Army Reserves on 18 October 1983 and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Upon completion of training, he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11B, Infantry. In 1990, CSM Wong joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. Upon completion of training, he was awarded the MOS of 18B, Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.

CSM Wong’s military assignments and duty positions include Company C, 3/35th Infantry Brigade (SEP), Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts and was promoted to Staff Sergeant as Platoon Leader; in Company A, 2/19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Middletown, Rhode Island, he was promoted to Sergeant Major as Company Sergeant Major; in Special Operations Detachment-Global, Coventry, Rhode Island, he was promoted to Command Sergeant Major as Senior Enlisted Advisor. CSM Wong has mobilized and supported operations in Iceland, Canada, Kenya, Oman, Bosnia, Kuwait, Kosovo, Iraq and Syria.

CSM Wong is a graduate from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Selection and Assessment, Static line Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault, Combat Lifesavers Course, the United States Army Sergeants Majors Academy, Advanced Non-Commissioned Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Course, and Primary Leadership and Development Course.

CSM Wong’s awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (7^th award), the Army Achievement Medal (3^rd award), the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (6^th award), the National Defense Service medal w/bronze service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2^nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/two campaign stars, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal w/campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M device (4^th award) and 30 year device gold hourglass, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5^th award), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (4^th award), NATO Medal (2^nd award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Forces Tab, Kenyan, Mexican, German, United Kingdom, Netherland, Kuwait, Polish, Italian and Dominican Parachutist Badge.

CSM Wong has been employed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a State Trooper for over 25 years. He is assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Airwing as a Tactical Flight Officer with over 200 hrs of rotary wing aircraft flight hours.

CSM Wong has received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College, Milton, MA.

CSM Wong currently resides in Springfield, Massachusetts with his wife Kristina, daughter Catherine and twin boys Joseph and Vincent.

Biography 

General Hannon enlisted in the Connecticut Air National Guard in 1987 as a Supply Specialist. He held the rank of Technical Sergeant until he was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 1998 as a Logistics Officer. During his 20 years of service with the Connecticut ANG he served in every area of the logistics career field before being appointed as the 103d Security Forces Squadron Commander in 2004.

General Hannon transferred to the Rhode Island Air National Guard in 2007 serving as the 143d Security Forces Squadron Operations Officer until he assumed command of the squadron in 2013. Upon his promotion to Colonel, he was selected to command the 143d Mission Support Group, consisting of 6 squadrons and 500 Airmen. Prior to his current position the general was assigned to Joint Force Headquarters as the Director of Staff and has deployed 3 times in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice, Salve Regina University, Newport, R.I.

Master of Science in Administration of Justice, Salve Regina University, Newport, R.I.

Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, Lincoln, R.I.

Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence

Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence

CJCS Level IV Antiterrorism Executive Seminar, McLean, Va

Joint Task Force (JTF) Commanders Course, United States Northern Command, Peterson AFB, CO

Leadership in Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
 

Biography 

1.  May 2019 – April 2024, Commander, Special Operations Detachment-Global Warfare, Rhode Island National Guard, Coventry, Rhode Island

2.  October 2018 – May 2019, J3/Joint Director Operations and Military Support, Joint Force Headquarters, West Virginia Army National Guard, Charleston, West Virginia

3.  July 2017 – October 2018, Senior Service College Fellow, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

4.  June 2015 – July 2017, Deputy Commander, Special Operations Detachment – Europe, West Virginia Army National Guard, Kingwood, West Virginia

5.  June 2012 – June 2015, Battalion Commander, Headquarters Detachment, 2/ 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), West Virginia Army National Guard, Kenova, West Virginia

6.  March 2012 – June 2012, Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Rhode Island Army National Guard, Cranston, Rhode Island

7.  July 2010 – March 2012, Operations Officer, Special Operations Detachment – Global Warfare, Rhode Island Army National Guard, Coventry, Rhode Island

8.  March 2006 – July 2010, Company Commander, Alpha Company, 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Rhode Island Army National Guard, Middletown, Rhode Island

9.  October 2004 – March 2006, Detachment Commander, Alpha Company Second Battalion 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Rhode Island Army National Guard, Middletown, Rhode Island

10.  April 2003 – October 2004, Executive Officer, Alpha Company Second Battalion 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Rhode Island Army National Guard, Middletown, Rhode Island

11.  February 2002 – April 2003, Detachment Commander, Alpha Company Second Battalion 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Rhode Island Army National Guard, Middletown, Rhode Island

12.  September 2001 – February 2002, CJ3/ Operations Center Director (Joint), Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Camp BONDSTEEL, Bosnia

13.  June 2000 – September 2001, Commander, Alpha Company Second Battalion 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Rhode Island Army National Guard, Middletown, Rhode Island

14.  March 1999 – June 2000, Detachment Operations Officer, Alpha Company Second Battalion 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Rhode Island Army National Guard, Middletown, Rhode Island

15.  August 1997 – March 1999, Executive Officer, Bravo Company First Battalion 182^nd Infantry (Mechanized), Massachusetts Army National Guard, Melrose, Massachusetts

16.  May 1993 – August 1997, Platoon Leader, Bravo Company First Battalion 182^nd Infantry (Mechanized), Massachusetts Army National Guard, Melrose, Massachusetts

Education

Norwich University, Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, History

United States Naval War College, Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies

University of Massachusetts, Master of Arts, Criminal Justice