John L. Estrada
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John Estrada
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| Born | September 27, 1955 Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1973–2007 |
| Rank |  Sergeant Major |
| Commands held | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War Operation Southern Watch Iraq War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Bronze Star |
John Learie Estrada is a retired United States Marine Corps Sergeant Major who served as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007.[1][2] Estrada stepped down on April 25, 2007, turning over the post to Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent. Estrada retired from the Marine Corps in June 2007, after over 34 years of service.[3][4] He is currently a senior manager for Lockheed Martin.
Since 2013, he is the current presidential nomination for United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.
Contents
Early life
Estrada was born in Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago.[5] He immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1988.
Military Career
Estrada enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 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 Memphis, 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-232, 1st 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, 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 Beaufort 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, 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, Estrada returned to Drill Instructor duty, this time at back at Parris Island. He served as Series Chief Drill Instructor with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion and subsequently as Standing Operating Procedures Instructor and Drill Master at Drill Instructor School until his promotion to First Sergeant in October 1990.
From December 1990 to March 1995, 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, Estrada served as Sergeant Major for 1st Marine Division at 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, 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, Estrada was assigned as Sergeant Major, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.
From December 2001 to May 2003, 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.
Estrada assumed his post as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on June 26, 2003, succeeding Alford L. McMichael.[2] [6]
On April 25, 2007, Estrada stepped down from his post as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, turning over the post to Carlton Kent.[7] Estrada was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service and retired from the Marine Corps in June 2007.[7]
Other roles
In July 2010, Obama nominated Estrada to serve as a commissioner for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the agency overseeing U.S. Armed Forces cemeteries and memorials overseas.[8] Estrada previously served as a committee member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, a member of the Board of Directors for Operation Homefront, and on the executive committee for the United Service Organizations.
Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
In July 2013, President Obama nominated Estrada to be the next United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, the country of Estrada's birth.[9] The United States Senate did not act upon the nomination. Obama renominated Estrada on January 6, 2014.[10]
Personal life
Estrada formally endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States during a rally at Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, South Carolina on January 24, 2008.[11] On August 28, 2008, Estrada spoke at the Democratic National Convention, echoing his support for Barack Obama over John McCain, citing his "obligation... to protect the Marines, sailors and their families." [12]
Estrada has been a senior manager for Lockheed Martin Training Solutions since 2008.
Awards and honors
Estrada's personal awards include:
 
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| 1st Row | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Bronze Star Medal | Meritorious Service Medal w/ 3 award stars | |
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| 2nd Row | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | Joint Service Achievement Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal | Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
| 3rd Row | Navy Unit Commendation w/ 2 service stars | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 4 service stars | Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ 10 service stars | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal |
| 4th Row | National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service stars | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
| 5th Row | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 5 service stars | Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon | Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon w/ 2 service stars |
Notes
- Estrada also rates expert in rifle and sharpshooter in pistol marksmanship badges, as well as eight service stripes.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to John L. Estrada. |
Notes
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- This article incorporates text in the public domain from U.S. Government agencies.
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| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 2003–2007 |
Succeeded by Carlton Kent |
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- Pages with reference errors
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- 1955 births
- American military personnel of the Iraq War
- Living people
- People from Laventille
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
- Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps
- Trinidad and Tobago people
