John L. Estrada
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| John L. Estrada | |
|---|---|
  15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (2003-2007) |
|
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  USMC |
| Years of service | 1973-2007 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Commands held | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (2003-2007) |
| Awards | Bronze Star |
John L. Estrada was the 15th Sergeant Major of the United States Marine Corps. He succeeded Alford L. McMichael on June 26, 2003, becoming the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.[1][2] Estrada stepped down on April 25, 2007, turning over the post to SgtMaj Carlton Kent. Estrada retired from the Marine Corps in June 2007, after over 34 years of service.[3][4]
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[edit] Biography
Sergeant Major John L. Estrada is originally from the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. At the age of 12 he immigrated to the United States. He enlisted on September 19, 1973 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing F-4 aircraft maintenance schools at Naval Air Station (NAS), Memphis, Tennessee and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Private First Class Estrada was assigned to VMFA-451 at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina in March 1974.
In December 1974, Lance Corporal Estrada was transferred to VMFA-311, 21st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. He was meritoriously promoted to Corporal in March 1975.
In February 1976, Sergeant Estrada served with VMFAT-101, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. In September 1977, he transferred to VMFA-314, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA. Reassigned to VMFA-323 in December 1978, he deployed with the squadron in November 1979 for 7 months aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf. In June 1980, Staff Sergeant Estrada transferred to VMFA-321, Marine Aircraft Group 41, Detachment "A" at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
In August 1982, Staff Sergeant Estrada was ordered to Drill Instructor Duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA where he served with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. He was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in January 1984. In October 1984, Gunnery Sergeant Estrada returned to MCAS Beaufort, SC for duty with VMFA-251 as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Airframes Division. In November 1985, he was reassigned to VMFA-451 and deployed to the Western Pacific from January to July 1986 under the Unit Deployment Program. From January to March 1987, Gunnery Sergeant Estrada attended aircraft maintenance schools at Naval Air Station Cecil Field and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida retraining as an FA-18 Hornet Hydraulic/Structural Mechanic.
In October 1987, Gunnery Sergeant Estrada returned to Drill Instructor duty, this time at MCRD Parris Island, SC. He served as Series Chief Drill Instructor with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion and subsequently as Standing Operations Procedures Instructor and Drill Master at Drill Instructor School until his promotion to First Sergeant in October 1990.
From December 1990 to March 1995, First Sergeant Estrada served as First Sergeant for Intelligence Company, 3rd Surveillance Reconnaissance and Intelligence Group, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan; Marine Security Force Company, Norfolk, Virginia; Electronics Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton; and Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.
From March 1995 to May 1998, Sergeant Major Estrada served as Sergeant Major for 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton; and deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) to the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf.
In May 1998, Sergeant Major Estrada assumed the duties as Sergeant Major for Recruiting Station Sacramento, California in the 12th Marine Corps District, Western Recruiting Region. From April 2000 to October 2001, Sergeant Major Estrada was assigned as Sergeant Major, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.
From December 2001 to May 2003, Sergeant Major Estrada served as the Sergeant Major, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. During this assignment, he was forward deployed and participated in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sergeant Major Estrada assumed his current post as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on 26 June 2003.[2]
On April 25, 2007, SgtMaj Estrada stepped down from his post as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, turning over the post to Sgt Major Carlton Kent.[5] Estrada retired from the Marine Corps on June 2007.[5] Estrada formally endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States during a standing-room-only rally at Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, South Carolina on January 24, 2008.[6].
His personal awards include the Bronze Star , the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Rocke, Cpl. Ethan E.. "New Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps posts", Marine Corps News, June 30, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
- ^ a b Division of Public Affairs, United States Marine Corps (July 2, 2003). "Sgt. Maj. of Marine Corps sword of office changes hands". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
- ^ Hoellwarth, John (April 26, 2007.). Kent becomes top enlisted Marine. Marine Corps Times.
- ^ Sergeant Major John L. Estrada, USMC (Retired). Who's Who in Marine Corps History. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
- ^ a b Beth Zimmerman. "Kent to replace Estrada on April 25", Marine Corps Times, April 10, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Andrew Tilghman. "Estrada campaigns for Sen. Barack Obama", Marine Corps Times, March 7, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from U.S. Government agencies.
- John L. Estrada, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-04-17.
- John L. Estrada, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (official website). United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
- Sergeant Major John L. Estrada, USMC. Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
| Preceded by Alford L. McMichael |
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 2003—2007 |
Succeeded by Carlton W. Kent |
