First Chamorro woman U.S. Army Sergeant Major

A breeze blew over the crystal blue water at Ypao BeachPark. It was the middle of the day on Friday, January 23. A large crowd of uniformed personnel, public officials, friends, and family gathered around the main pavilion to witness a promotional ceremony for the Guam Army National Guard. Surrounded by the beauty of our island, the promotion of Irene M. Fejeran took place. A mother, a Harley enthusiast, a grandmother, a woman, stood up and became the first, but “surely not the last” to achieve the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army: Sergeant Major.

There is certainly more to Sergeant Major Irene M. Fejeran than a story about her ascension in the Army. “I was a cheerleader,” she says, reflecting on her high school years at John F. Kennedy High School.  She also participated in volleyball and track and field. Apart from sporting activities and school, her adolescent and young adult years consisted of boundaries and restrictions.  “I had strict parents, a strict father,and grew up with a lot of rules.”  Following high school, Fejeran attended the International Business College.  “After six months of sitting in a classroom, punching numbers into a calculator, I felt like I needed to get out and do something more.”  It was this drive that led Fejeran away from the classroom and to the Army where she completed her initial three-year enlistment. 

Those three years planted the seeds for a career path that led towards this significant day where hundreds gathered to honor her.  After the stripes on her sleeves were changed, a line of supporters gathered to congratulate her. WOC Christopher B. Iwashita was one of the many and he spoke very fondly of Fejeran. “Sgt. Maj.Fejeran is a very driven person. She truly cares for her soldiers and their careers by helping guide and mentor them,” he said. Watching soldiers deploy for the war has made a significant impact on Fejeran.  She often serves as a vessel of support and as a connection between families and their deployed soldiers.  These roles reflect the key factors Fejeran cites as being important to her career in the military. “Taking care of soldiers and knowing your job.”      

In the 80s, after returning to Guam from Germany upon completion of her first enlistment, while pregnant with her first child,Fejeran missed the uniform.  In 1983, soon after the Guam Army National Guard was established she quickly signed up to be a “weekend warrior,” and within a year applied to be an active duty reservist.  She did not join the Guard with a career in mind. “After reaching my seventh year, I thought, well, I can make it to eight.”  And in turn, she has made it to twenty-eight years of service. Along the way, Fejeran completed two National Guard Marathons, taking 3^rdplace in her division one year. “One day, I just woke up and decided to start running.”

Fejeran’s oldest son, Master Sgt. Travis Salas (U.S. Air Force) was a part of his mother’s promotional ceremony at Ypao.  Her youngest son is enlisted in the Army and her daughter’s husband is also in the Army.  Military service seems to run through the bloodline. But the mother Fejeran (not to be confused with the Sgt. Maj.), stresses how her children’s choices to pursue military service were of their own accord.  “I had no part in their decision.  I decided to join on my own. And I think my kids should always do what makes them happy.”

Being in the service often calls for relocation to the mainland or overseas. Fejeran’s family is lucky these days.  Currently, her two sons are stationed here and her daughter is waiting out her husband’s deployment on island.  Fejeran likes to spend most of her off-duty time with her kids and grandchildren.  “I took four of them to the movies this past weekend.  It was a nightmare, but I loved it!” She laughs. 

Being the first woman Sergeant Major will etch Fejeran’s name in the Guam Army National Guard’s as one that is synonymous with accomplishment, competence, and determination.

Biba Irene M. Fejeran for being the first Chamorro woman U.S. Army Sergeant Major!