MGySgt Hector Herrera, U.S. Marine Corps

Hector Herrera enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1980, graduating from Boot Camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. After Field Skills Training School at Camp Pendleton, he was designated as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewman and was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. He learned his trade during multiple live-fire exercises at Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms. Herrera was transferred to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines at Kaneohe Bay, where he served as a Section Chief and deployed to the Western Pacific.. As a testament to his leadership and technical expertise, he was selected as the battalion’s “Personal Reliability Program” expert and trained as a nuclear projectile-qualified cannon crewman. In 1984, he was chosen to be an Enlisted Instructor at The Basic School at Quantico. Next, he was assigned to a Recruiting Station in Cleveland, Ohio, as a Canvassing Recruiter, but quickly rose to become the Staff NCO in charge of Recruiting Sub-Station Mansfield. During his tour, he was awarded Recruiter of the Month and Recruiter of the Year. In 1990, Herrera returned to the 11th Marine Regiment, first assigned as the Guns Platoon Sergeant for Battery D, 2nd Battalion, then transferred to Battery F. During his service with Battery F, he deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. He was then hand-selected to serve as an instructor at the USMC Cannon Crewman Course at Fort Sill. Herrera again returned to the 11th Marine Regiment, this time as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant for Battery B and then Battery C, 1st Battalion. He deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 1996 and again with the 15th MEU when he supported Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and DESERT FOX. Following deployment, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and assigned as the Field Artillery Chief (FAC) for 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, where he deployed with his battalion to Kuwait during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Under his leadership, the battalion accurately and safely fired more than 5,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition in support of Regimental Combat Team-5. In 2004, he was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant and became the FAC and Director of the Regimental Artillery Training School for the 11th Marines. A gifted mentor, he positively coached dozens of senior artillerymen, both officer and enlisted alike. In 2006, he was assigned to the 14th Marine Regiment in Fort Worth, Texas, to serve as the 14th Marine Regiment Field Artillery Chief. Master Gunnery Sergeant Herrera retired from Active Duty after 30 years of service in 2009. He was hired by Northrop Grumman Corporation to serve as a Subject Matter Expert in support of the artillery testing enterprise at Yuma Proving Ground. For 13 years, Mr. Herrera supported the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center Quality Engineering and Systems Assurance Directorate with test, evaluation, and other technical services. Master Gunnery Sergeant Herrera’s influence and reputation within the Marine artillery community will continue to echo in the years following his retirement.