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Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez

Command Senior Enlisted Leader

U.S. Southern Command

MEMO: SOUTHCOM Joint Service Color Guard (JSCG) Command Policy Directive, 9 February 2024

- Sergeant Major Rafael Rodriguez assumed duties as SOUTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader Sept. 6, 2023.​

A Native of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) Rodriguez attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in March of 1992.  Upon graduation, he attended, the Field Artillery School earning the Military Occupation Specialty of Cannon Crewman. 

His services in the Operating Forces include duties as Field Artillery Cannon Crewman Lima Battery 3rd Battalion 12th Marines. Section Chief Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion 11th Marines, in support of of Operation DESERT STORM,Kuwait Cease fire and Operation UNITED SHIELD/RESTORE HOPE II Somalia. Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion 12th Marines and Golf and Fox Battery 2nd Battalion 10th Marines. Battery Gunnery Sergeant, Headquarters Battery and Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 12th Marines. First Sergeant, 1st Battalion 3rd Marines in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08; SgtMaj, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM 11-2 and 13-2. Component SgtMaj, Marine Forces Special Operations command.

His services outside the Operating Forces includes duties as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Series Gunnery Sergeant Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, PI. Company First Sergeant Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion and First Sergeant Drill Instructor School, MCRD, PI. SgtMaj, Headquarters Regiment, 1st Marine Logistic Group; Depot Sergeant Major, MCRD, PI and Eastern Recruiting Region and SgtMaj Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps.

SgtMaj Rodriguez’s professional military education includes The United States Army Sergeant Major Academy class 61, Keystone Course, Combined Joint Force Special Operations Component Command Course and the Space Executive Course. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor in Criminal Justice from Excelsior University.

His military awards include the Legion of Merit, w/ 2 gold stars, Bronze star medal, w/2 gold stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 3 gold stars, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals with one gold star and the Combat Action Ribbon with 1 gold star and various unit and service awards ribbons.

- Updated September 2023

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