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Instrument Repair Technician
Staff Sergeant Jose A. Espinoza was born in Reynosa, Mexico and graduated from South Houston High School in South Houston, TX. In July 1997, Staff Sergeant Espinoza enlisted in the Marine Corps and upon completion of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, attended the School of Infantry (West), Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA. His first fleet assignment was as an antitank assault guided missileman with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Weapons Company at Camp Pendleton, CA. Staff Sergeant Espinoza was later promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. While at Camp Pendleton Staff Sergeant Espinoza deployed to Okinawa, Japan. During the deployment, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines were attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operations Desert Fox and Southern Watch. Upon completion of his deployment to Okinawa, Japan, Staff Sergeant Espinoza was assigned to the 1st Marine Division Band received on-the-job training as a percussionist. At the completion of his training Staff Sergeant Espinoza was promoted to the rank of Corporal and later reenlisted as a percussionist. While at the 1st Marine Division Band, Staff Sergeant Espinoza was promoted to the rank of Sergeant were he served as an Administration Clerk, Training Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, and Platoon Sergeant. In February 2003, Staff Sergeant Espinoza deployed with the 1st Marine Division Band in Support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. There he served as Fire Team Leader and Squad Leader during the Road to Baghdad, Iraq. In February 2004, he was once again deployed with the 1st Marine Division Band in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, serving as a Squad Leader, Sergeant of the Guard and the Third Country National Escort Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. In March 2005, Staff Sergeant Espinoza reported to the Marine Forces Reserve Band, New Orleans, LA where he served as a percussionist, Supply Chief and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician. On February 1, 2006, Staff Sergeant Espinoza was promoted to his current rank and was awarded the military occupational specialty Instrument Repair Technician. In August of 2006, Staff Sergeant Espinoza attended the Minnesota Southeast Technical College in Red Wing, MN for training as an Instrument Repair Technician. Following graduation Staff Sergeant Espinoza reported to his present assignment as the Instrument Repair Technician for the 1st Marine Division Band, Camp Pendleton, CA. Staff Sergeant Espinosa military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation (3rd Award), the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3rd Award). |
