Juan Rodriguez Chavez

In May of 2000 Cpl RodriguezChavez reported to 9th Engineer Support Battalion Okinawa, Japan. Upon completion of his overseas tour he then reported to Combat Service Support Group 3 (CSSG-3) in Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In June of 2002 he attended the Sergeants Course and graduated Gung Ho for his class. He also served as a Heavy Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Truck Master, and Motor Transport Chief. He deployed to the Kingdom of Thailand in support of Cobra Gold 2003, Australia in support of CROC 2003, and Korea in support of FOULED EAGLE/ FREEDOM BANNER 2004.

Sergeant RodriguezChavez received orders to Recruiting School at MCRD San Diego in January of 2005. Upon graduation he reported to Recruiting Station (RS) San Antonio serving as a canvassing recruiter at the Permanent Contact Station (PCS) Brownsville, Texas. In January of 2006 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Upon completion of recruiting duty in 2008, he then reported to Combat Logistics Regiment 35 (CLR-35) Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. He served as the Regimental Motor Transportation Chief and the Unit Movement Control Center SNCOIC supporting III MEF. In 2009 Staff Sergeant RodriguezChavez volunteered as an Individual Augment (IA) for Regional Corps Advisory Command (RCAC) 3-7, Embedded Training Team (ETT) 2-8 with 4th Marines, Camp Schwab. Deploying to Kunar Province he served as a trainer, advisor, and mentor to the 201st Brigade Afghan National Army. In charge of developing a licensing program, convoy operations, and mounted portals. In addition he also took on the duties the teams S-4.

In 2010 he re-deployed to Okinawa, Japan, and received orders to Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he served as a Team Leader and SNCOIC for Motor Vehicle Operators Course. In June of 2011 once again deployed to the Republic of Georgia to support the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion to conduct pre-deployment training for OEF. In August 2011 he was promoted to his present rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

In June 2013 Gunnery Sergeant RodriguezChavez reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Motor Transport Company and served as the company’s Operations Training Chief and Senior Enlisted Advisor. In April 2015, he deployed to Kuwait with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force- Crisis Response-Central Command in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as the Alpha Company Senior Enlisted Advisor. Upon return he transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 13 Headquarters and served as the Chief instructor for the Corporals Course and the Lance Corporals Leadership and Ethics Seminar. Gunnery Sergeant RodriguezChavez retired in November 2016 after 20 years of faithful service.

After his retirement he became a Marine Instructor for Energized Stem Academy JROTC program in Houston, Texas and then on to Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas.

Gunnery Sergeant RodriguezChavez’s personal decorations include the Navy Cross , Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/gold star in lieu of 3rd award and combat distinguishing device), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (w/gold star in lieu of 2nd award), and the Combat Action Ribbon.