Company 1st Sergeant
GySgt
Gurrola, Joaquin
Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was born in West Los Angeleson June 10,
1973. After graduating from St. John Bosco High School in May of
1992, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola enlisted in the Marine Corps
through the Delay Entry Program in which he subsequently
attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San
Diego with Bravo Company, First Recruit Training Battalion in
June 1992. Upon graduation from Recruit Training, Private First
Class Gurrola reported to Golf Company 2d Battalion, 23d
Marines, 4th Marine Division.
Subsequently in February of 1993 Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola
was selected to attend Army Airborne School in Columbus, Georgia
where he earned his basic Parachutist badge.
After Completing Army Airborne School, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola
attended Marine Combat Training and the School of Infantry at
Camp Pendleton, California for training as a rifleman. Upon
graduation from the School of Infantry in 1993, Gunnery Sergeant
Gurrola reported back to Golf Company 2d Battalion, 23d Marines,
4th Marine Division at Los Alamitos California. While at Golf
Company he was assigned as an Automatic Rifleman. In August of
1994 Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was awarded the Marine Corps Super
Squad Medal at 8th and I Barracks by the Commandant
of the Marine Corps, General Mundy. Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola
received the Super Squad medal along with 13 other members of
his squad after competing in over six months of squad infantry
competitions amongst other squad in the entire 4th
Marine Division.
In 1996 Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was promoted to the rank of
Corporal and was assigned as a Fire Team Leader. As a Fire team
leader Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola participated in “Joint Task
Force-6,” for approximately three months which was a counter
drug team. Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was in charge of a four man
team that was tasked to patrol and locate marijuana fields and
gardens in Northern California. As a result Gunnery Sergeant
Gurrola received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for
his actions as a Team Leader. Later that year Gunnery Sergeant
Gurrola again participated in the annual Marine Corps Rifle
Squad competition as a Team Leader, and the squad’s navigator.
Golf Company’s “Super Squad” did not win the competition that
year, but Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola received the Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement medal for his actions and leadership during
the 4th Marine Division rifle squad competition for
exceptional leadership as a Fire team leader.
In 1998 Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was promoted to the rank of
Sergeant and also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science (Public Law) from California University Long
Beach. Subsequently that year Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was hired
by the Los Angeles County Probation Department as a Deputy
Probation Officer. This same year Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was
the Squad leader for the annual Rifle Squad competition for Golf
Company. After winning the Battalion “Super Squad” competition,
Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola volunteered for a three month
deployment to Panama as part of Operation Southern Thunder, with
Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 23d Marines. While
stationed in Panama, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola Completed the
Non-Lethal Weapons Course.
Upon return from Panama, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola returned back
to Golf Company 2d Battalion, 23d Marines as an infantry squad
leader. In 2001, during annual training at Fort Lewis
Washington, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was assigned as Platoon
Sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Golf Company. For his
actions Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola received the Navy and Marine
Corps Medal. In that same year Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was
selected to attend MOUT Instructor course (Military Operations
in Urban Terrain), at Camp Pendleton California.
Upon Graduating from MOUT instructor course, Gunnery
Sergeant Gurrola returned to Golf Company.
In January 2002, in response to terrorist actions on September
11, 2001, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was recalled to active duty
with Golf Company for approximately 18 months. During this time
Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola attended Sergeants Course, and Infantry
Platoon Sergeant Course at Camp Pendleton, and was also selected
during this period as NCO of the quarter.
In February of 2003, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was deployed to
Kuwait with Golf Company, as part of an anti-terrorism company
to provide base security at Camp Commando Kuwait. Then in March
of 2003, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola participated in combat actions
during the invasion of Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For his actions Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola received a Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a combat action ribbon and was
meritoriously selected to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Upon return from Iraq, In 2004 Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola attended
annual training in Camp Fuji, Japan. In 2005 Gunnery Sergeant
Gurrola attended the “Staff Academy” in Quantico Virginia. After
Completion of SNCO Academy, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola returned to
Golf Company as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. Subsequently that
year he was assigned as Platoon Commander for 1st
Platoon Golf Company.
In 2006 Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola was meritoriously promoted to
his current rank, and later dropped to the Inactive Ready
Reserve for two years after being hired as a Police Officer for
the City of Pasadena Police Department. In 2008, Gunnery
Sergeant returned to Golf Company, were later that year he was
activated to deploy to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom
9.1. As a result Gunnery Sergeant received a Navy Commendation
Medal for combat operations in Iraq. After a one year activation
with Golf Company, Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola returned to the
Pasadena Police department where he currently works as a Police
Officer for the Special Enforcement Section.
In 2010, after serving as a Weapons Platoon Commander during
annual training in Estonia, Gunnery Sergeant filled in the roll
to his current position as the acting Company First Sergeant for
Golf Company 2d Battalion, 23d Marines.
Gunnery Sergeant Gurrola’s personal decorations and awards
include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy
and Marine Corps Achievement medal with 4 gold stars in lieu of
fifth award, the Selected Marine Corps reserve medal, combat
action ribbon, and various other unit and service award.
Contact information
joaquin.gurrola@usmc.mil
Previous two assignments
Weapons Platoon Commander Golf Co, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th
Marine Division. Los Alamitos, Ca (September 2009-July 2010).
2nd Platoon Commander Golf Co, 2d Battalion, 23d
Marines, 4th Marine Division Camp Pendleton, CA
(December 2008-September 2009).
Significant Resident PME’s
Sergeants Course 2002, SNCO Advance Course (2005)
Civilian post High School education
Bachelor of Arts Degree / Political Science (concentration in
Public Law) 1998 Orange County Sheriffs Academy / credits in
administration of justice 2006.
Personal interests/hobbies
Weight lifting, running, reading, golf, surfing, snowboarding,
and spending time with daughters.
Hometown
La Mirada, California
