CSM Martin Barreras comes home
We talked about the late CSM Martin Barreras last week when he gave the last full measure of devotion. DVIDS posts the video of his last procession through the streets of Tucson
Wiki says this about his career;
Barreras joined the Army in 1988 after serving in the Marine Corps for five years, according to information from the division.
He served for 22 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in 1st and 2nd Battalions, the Special Troops Battalion and the regimental headquarters.
In the Ranger Regiment, Barreras served in virtually every enlisted duty and leadership position and completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Restore/Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and other special operations contingency missions.
I wish that I had known him because his example stands in stark contrast to many of the sergeant majors that I have known.
Category: Real Soldiers
Jonn, Thank you for this. Had I followed my life’s initial plans, to be make the military a career, I wanted to be a professional NCO. Though I never knew him, I knew a small few like CSM Martin Barreras. He was like the model of the professional NCO I wanted to be. He took care of his duties, took care of his troops and above all, he led them, from the front. A “follow me” attitude and soldier. God rest his soul and comfort his family now.
Damn, that brings back memories from a few years ago.
Ya done good, USAF. Thanks.
I’m actually in that picture. It was an honor to be there for it.
Sadly, we’ve done it several times since I was posted here on ’07. I’ve stood in 3 or 4 such cordons, and ridden with the Patriot Guard riders for 2 or 3 more.
And that’s a great link, thank you for that.
Aw hell, its getting dusty in here. RIP CSM Barreras!
Rest in peace, SGM.
I’ve had the honor of both being in Uniform on the side of the road and as a member of PGR escorting one of our fallen. I have witnessed entire small towns turn out and wave flags. I have seen cars pull over and men step out and salute. It always is gratifying to witness the respect shown by everyone for our servicemen and woman who has given their life for their country.
We will never forget.
I had the honor and good fortune to work with “Gunny” Barreras for over a year at 2/75. He was by far one of the best mentors a junior NCO could have asked for (of course most junior NCO’s wouldn’t know how rare a great mentor is. I sure didn’t until I took my first PLT). He was also an innovator, something pretty rare in the Military especially in the Senior NCO ranks.
On top of his many accomplishments already mentioned, then MSG Barreras ushered in a new era in the RGT as he and Logan Coffey (RIP as well brother) of Tactical Tailor designed a new system to carry our equipment that was modular as well as comfortable. That system was the RACK (Ranger Assault Carry Kit) which was one of the predecessors to the modular systems fielded today.
Blue Skies, I’ll see you on the OBJ.
Tough