Home| Site Map| FAQ

United States Marine Corps

First Sergeant Rufino Mendez Jr.,

First Sergeant Rufino Mendez Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 18 March 1985.  1stSgt Mendez graduated from Delta Company, 2^nd RTBN, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina on 7 June 1985.  He attended his MOS school at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina and designated as a 3531 Motor Vehicle Operator.

            Upon completion of school in September 1985, he was transferred to Headquarters and Service Company, 1^st Track Vehicle Battalion, 3^rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan where he served as a motor vehicle operator and dispatcher until January 1987.  Following his overseas tour he received orders to Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1^st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as a motor vehicle operator.  In March of 1989 he was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, 3^rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS El Toro, California.  In August 1990, he was dispatched to Southwest Asia with MWSS 373 to participate in Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.  While participating in these operations as a motor vehicle operator and maintenance management clerk, 1stSgt Mendez was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 1991.

Upon his return to El Toro in April 1991, he reenlisted and volunteered for drill instructor duty.  1stSgt Mendez graduated from class 3-92 and was assigned to Lima Company, 3^rd RTBN, MCRD San Diego, California.  He completed five cycles as a DI, and one cycle as a SDI during a two-year tour.

After successfully completing drill instructor duty, 1stSgt Mendez returned to Okinawa, Japan in July 1994 to serve with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma as a refueler operator and Platoon Sergeant for the Fuels Section.  1stSgt Mendez was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in December 1996.

He returned to the drill field in August of 1997 and was assigned to Hotel Company, 2^nd RTBN, MCRD San Diego, California.  He completed one cycle as a DI, three cycles as a SDI, two cycles as a Series Gunnery Sergeant and four cycles as an instructor at Drill Instructor School. 

After successfully completing a second tour of drill instructor duty, 1stSgt Mendez returned to Okinawa, Japan in September 2000 to serve with 3^rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3^rd FSSG as a Company Gunnery Sergeant for Motor Transport Company.  While at 3^rd Transportation Support Battalion he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November 2000 and participated in numerous deployments in the Far East to include Operation ENDURING FREEDOM/Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003.  1stSgt Mendez was promoted to his current rank in February 2004.

1stSgt Mendez is currently serving as the First Sergeant for Inspector-Instructor Staff, West Trenton, New.Jersey. 

1stSgt Mendez’ personal awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award, Joint Service Achievement Medal and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award.