MSG(R) John Tijerina

Master Sergeant John Tijerina is a native of San Antonio and a former JROTC Cadet.  After graduation from Highlands High School in 1986, he enlisted into the Army as an Infantryman.

As an Infantryman, MSG Tijerina held various positions from 1986 through 1999 to include Dragon gunner,Team Leader, and Squad Leader with D Co, 1st BN, 61st Infantry (Mech); A Co, 5th BN, 20th Infantry (Mech); and A Co, 1st BN, 509th Infantry(Airborne); Scout Squad leader with HHC, 1st BN, 509th Infantry (Airborne); Infantry Observer/Controller with the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC); and Sniper Squad leader, Ranger Training NCO, and Platoon Sergeant with HHC and A Co, 1st BN, 502nd Infantry (Air Assault).  MSG Tijerina served as a detailed Recruiter and Station Commander from 1999 to 2005 with the San Antonio and Columbia Recruiting Battalions before becoming a Special Missions Recruiter with the Special Operations Command in 2006.  He would complete his active military service as the Special Operations Command Recruiting Detachment SGM on 30 November,2011.  However, MSG Tijerina was recalled to Active service with duty as the Recruiting Branch NCOIC, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) immediately following his retirement on 1 December, 2011 and completed this tour of duty in August, 2013.

MSG Tijerina has a bachelor's degree in Marketing.  He is also a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Static Line Jumpmaster's Course, Pathfinder Course, and Ranger Course, Ft. Benning, GA; completed the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC) and Air Assault Course, Ft. Campbell, KY; and the Basic Recruiter Course and the Recruiting Station Commander's Course, Ft. Jackson, SC.  His unit awards include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Army Superior Unit award with Oak Leaf Cluster.  His individual awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with 8 Knots, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver Badge, and the Glenn E. Morrell Order of Recruiting Excellence Medallion and Ring.

MSG Tijerina retired in August 2013 after nearly 27 years active military service and returned to San Antonio for good.  He joined the Rattler Battalion at Ronald Reagan High School on 15 April 2014 and was proud to become a part of such a great school, faculty, and the Reagan JROTC program.