Sergeant Major John Herrera, a native of San Antonio, Texas entered the Marine Corps June 23, 1998. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA receiving meritorious promotion to private first class in September 1998. He attended Embarkation Course at Marine Corps Logistics School, Camp Johnson, Jacksonville, NC graduating as honor graduate, being meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
In November of 1999 LCpl Herrera was assigned to 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, San Antonio, TX Headquarters and Service Company Marine Corps Reserve where he was re designated as a parachute rigger and attended Parachute Riggers Course at the Army School of Logistics Ft Lee, VA.
Corporal Herrera was assigned to reconnaissance team and promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January 2004. Prior to deployment and mobilization with 3rd Reconnaissance Bn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sgt Herrera attended Jumpmaster Course, Ft Benning, GA. He deployed to Camp Fallujah Iraq as part of OIF 05-06, where he served as the Assistant Team leader, 1st Platoon, Echo Company, 3rd Recon Bn with over 150 combat missions.
In 2008 SSgt Herrera attended and graduated the Special Forces Military Free Fall School, Ft Bragg, NC. In April 2011 GySgt Herrera received mobilization orders to support multiple operations with 3rd Recon Bn in the Kingdom of Thailand on joint service airborne operations. In 2012 GySgt Herrera assumed his billet as Headquarters Company Gunnery Sergeant. He also attended and graduated the Free Fall Jumpmaster Course and supported 3rd Recon Bn as Free Fall Jumpmaster in Cobra Gold 2013.
In 2016 1stSgt Herrera assumed First Sergeant duties at Company C, 4th Recon Battalion. He responded to disaster relief operation ISO Hurricane Harvey and Florence. In 2019 1stSgt Herrera was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion 23rd Marines where he was mobilized in response to Covid-19 relief effort and joined Task Force Commitment.
In June 2021, Sergeant Major Herrera assumed his current billet as the Squadron Sergeant Major for VMGR-234, MAG-41, 4th MAW, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
Sergeant Major Herrera holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is employed as a Police Officer for the City of San Antonio. Sergeant Major Herrera is a graduate of the resident SNCO Career Course, Advance Course, First Sergeants Course, and Senior Officers Legal Course. He also completed the Senior Enlisted Joint PME 1 & 2.
SgtMaj Herrera’s personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal(2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation, Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal with mobilization device (2nd Award), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal(7th Award), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Volunteer Medal and Humanitarian Service Award.