Hawaii officer credits military with direction

Maj. Aris Banaag enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1993 after graduating from Lahainaluna High School. He was an 11 Bravo, an infantryman, who sought a clear path forward after finishing high school.

Banaag described his life before enlistment as lacking direction. He was terrified about his future and did not want to attend college. He said he needed the structure that the military provided because he felt lost at the start of his career.

The military structure helped him find motivation. He attended officer candidate school and earned his commission. Banaag stated that the Army pushed him into uncomfortable positions. This forced him to speak his mind and connect with his community.

After a combat tour in Iraq, Banaag switched from the Army to the Air Guard. He changed his uniform from green to blue. He has deployed to several locations during his service.

His deployments included Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and Djibouti. He completed a six-month rotation in Djibouti in 2023. He also worked with an embassy in the Philippines.

Banaag credits his wife and children for his success. He acknowledged the time he spent away from home during deployments. He said that service requires a large amount of sacrifice from the individual and their family.

As Veterans Day approaches, Banaag expressed gratitude to those who serve. He noted that many people do not fully understand the personal cost of military service. He wanted to thank them for that service.