Major General Nehemias Gadian Pajarito was born on 24 February 1953 in Barangay Culasian, Kabasaian Zamboanga del Sur now, Barangay Calape, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay Province. He is the fifth among nine children of Jeremias Gallego Pajarito from Manicahan, Zamboanga City and Cecilia Gadian from Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro. He finished his elementary education at Zamboanga Central School and subsequently his secondary education at Zamboanga City High School, He studied Engineering at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City as a state scholar. In 1971, on the same year, he passed the PMA entrance examination and was appointed Cadet, Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines on April 5, 1972. On 17 February 1976, he graduated with the illustrious PMA “Magilas” class of 1976 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Philippine Army, AFP. As a young Lieutenant, he had his first experience with the realities of combat operations against secessionist rebels in Mindanao. A Platoon leader of D coy, 24th Inf (Wildcat) Bn, 11 based in Abong-abong, Maluso, Basilan Province then later as Company commander of C coy, 24th IB, 11D in Barangay Lat: Patikul Sulu After two years with the 24th Inf Bn, he was assigned with the Army Aviation Bn, PA and became one of the pioneer Aviators of the PA, having completed the Private fixed wing Pilot course at the Philippine Airlines Flying School and the Commercial Rotary wing Pilot course at the Tropical Airways Flying School, While undergoing flight training, he also attended his MBA (OR) studies at the Ateneo School of Business in Makati City. In 1985, a Captain, he retumed to the First Infantry (Tabak) Division as Commander, 8th CRIS Group, PACRIS OPCON with 3/1 Brigade based in Camp Dao, Pagadian City. He supported the brigades’ psyops efforts in Region IX After a short stint with at 11D, he was then sent for schooling to the United States, completing the Civil Affairs Officers Course at JFKSWTC, Fort Bragg, NC. Upon his return, he served as instructor at the Combat Arms School, TRADOC. While at the TRADOC, He became the part of the training team of the first batch of officers which underwent the Battalion Commanders’ Course. Upon completion of his three years duty as instructor, he was again assigned to the First Infantry Division and designated as Executive Officer, 18th Infantry (Patriot) Bn based in Imelda, ZDS. Later, he was reassigned to 101 Bde, 11D and designated as Brigade Executive and Operations Officer. In 1993, as a Major, he was designated Commander, 4th Infantry (Scorpion) Battalion which operated in ZDS, Misamis Occidental and Lanao provinces. With the emergence of the Abu Sayyaf Group threat in Basilan province later that year, the 4th Inf Bn was one of the units ordered to be deployed there. The Basilan experience provided him a front seat view of what was to become a very challenging conflict of the future - islamic extremism and International terrorism. The second ceasefire agreement with the MNLF in 1994, has relegated secessionist influence to the background. After serving more than two years as Battalion Commander, he was then designated as AC of S, G3 of the 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal. As Division Operations Officer, he took charge of the Division Advance Command Post in Pili, Camarines Sur. Here, he coordinated and supervised the division ISO campaign against the Local Communist Movement operating in Bicol area. The unit was also mobilized to extensively assist in the relief and rescue operations in the region at the height of the very destructive Typhoon RosingIn 1996, he took the Command and General Staff Course at the Philippine Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City. After graduation, he was designated as instructor in the college but later reassigned to the Philippine Military Academy as Assistant ‘Commandant of Cadets and Head, Department of Ground Warfare. In 1998, a Lieutenant Colonel, he was designated as Commandant of Cadets, Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines. ‘After serving for three years in PMA, he went back to the Philippine Army and assumed the position of Chief of Staff, Headquarters and Headquarters Support Group. Here, he developed a deeper appreciation of the importance of service support to army operations. This experience became very useful in his future assignments, particularly as senior army commander. At the peak of the all out war against the MILF in Mindanao in 2001, he was assigned with the 4th Inf (Diamond) Division as Deputy Commander, TF Diamond. However, after staying for only @ few months with the unit, MGen Romeo Dominguez, AFP, then the CG, 11D, requested his assignment to the Division to take over as Chief of Staff. He held this position for more than two years, serving three commanders. In March 2004, he moved to Sulu and took over as Commander, 104th Brigade. After initiating several brigade operations to destroy ASG, MBG and other Lawless elements, the MBG under Uztads Malik launched an offensive and attempted to overrun a company of 351B in Panamao, Sulu. Immediately, JTF Comet organized TG Sultan, commanded by CO, 104TH Bde with (2) Inf Bns and (2) Marine BLTs to destroy the MBGs. The extensive operations and strategic maheuvers: greatly weakened the forces of the MBG and resulted in the capture Bitan-ag, Malik’s stronghold in Panamao. This victory was @ testimony to the gallantry and bravery of the officers and soldiers, particularly the valiant Battalion Commander, Coi Dennis Videnueva and other personne! who sacrificed their lives. The officers and men who were part of the Operations were commended and awarded various medals including, a Gold Cross Medal for Commander, 104th Brigade. In 2005, he was promoted to Brigadier General as he was about to complete his tour of duty as Brigade Commander. From Sulu, he briefly served as Assistant Division Commander of 11D. He was later designated as Commander of the 6th (Kampilan) Division in 2006. He strictly implemented the provisions of the ceasefire agreement to ensure the success of the peace negotiation and to protect the civilians from renegade MILF atrocities. In 2007, he returned to take over as Commander of the premier Division of the Philippine Army, the First Infantry (Tabak) Division, PA. Thus, distinguishing himself as the only officer who started his career as Platoon leader and concluded his Military career as Commander of the same Division, a total of 17 years of his 37 years in the service, a true blooded Tabak trooper, indeed. MGEN Nehemias Pajarito has highly impressive military career. His competence was enhanced through the numerous military and civilian trainings here in the country and abroad. The various positions given to him were all by virtue of sheer qualification and unquestionable expertise, as manifested by his awards and decorations that include the Distinguished Service Stars, Gold Cross Medal, Gawad sa Kaunlaran, numerous Military Merit Medals, plaques, letters of appreciation and commendation among others. He was also recognized by the civilian and cultural groups in the area, having been conferred honorary titles in their respective tibes. Major General Pajarito is happily married to the former Armi Cerojano Galliguez of Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City and they are blessed with eight outstanding children.