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7th Communication Battalion

Camp Hansen

Okinawa Japan
First Sergeant Nelson A. Hidalgo

First Sergeant Nelson A. HidalgoService Company First Sergeant

First Sergeant Hidalgo was born December 13, 1975 in Santiago, Chile and immigrated to the United States in October of 1980. He graduated in June 1993 from William Floyd High School in Long Island, NY. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and attended Recruit training at Parris Island, SC in June 1995. Upon graduation of Recruit training he reported to the School of infantry at Camp Geiger, NC where he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class in September 1995.

Upon completion of Rifleman training he received orders to 2nd Bn, 8th Marine Regiment. He was detached from 2/8 and attached to 2nd Supply Bn, as part of the Battle Skills Training detachment, instructing in the battle skills section of 2d Force Service Support Group. His quick grasp of procedures and high level of maturity earned him a promotion to Lance Corporal in December 1995. In May 1996 his strong work ethic as an instructor earned him yet another meritorious promotion to the rank of Corporal, and took the position as the Guard instructor. In that billet, he built two separate guard forces to provide security for 2nd FSSG to a deployment in Norway and another in Estonia (former Soviet Union).

He soon received orders sending him to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger NC to be a Combat Instructor. In March 1998 he was awarded Instructor of the year for the School of Infantry and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1999 he reenlisted with a lateral move to become a 0313(LAV Crewman). He reported to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn (LAR) where he quickly became a Vehicle Commander and won the “Top Vehicle Commander” award in Fort Picket, VA. In June 2001 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. While he was assigned to 2nd LAR Bn, he completed another deployment to Norway and to the Mediterranean. This was followed by a deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon returning from OIF, he received orders to Recruiting duty, at his home town, in Long Island, NY. In April 2006, He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and completed his tour earning recognition as SNCOIC of the year. Additionally, as result of his efforts his Recruiting Sub Station was recognized as the RSS of the year for Recruiting Station New York. He then received orders to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn where he completed two consecutive deployments in support of OIF. In June 2009 he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and reported to Headquarters Bn, MAGFTTC/MCAGCC. In September 2011, he received orders to 7th Communication Bn, IIMHG where he is currently serving as the Company 1stSgt for Service Company, 7th Comm. Bn.

1stSgt Hidalgo’s awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal with gold star in lieu of 2nd award and combat V for Valor, Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th award, Combat action ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation with 2 stars in lieu of 3rd award, Good conduct medal with 4 stars in lieu of 5th award, National Defense ribbon with 1 bronze star in lieu of 2nd award, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 2 stars in lieu of 2nd award, Global war on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global war on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment ribbon with 3 stars in lieu of 4th award, Navy Arctic Service ribbon, Marine Corps Recruiting ribbon, 3 letters of appreciation, 1 Meritorious Mast, and 1 certificate of commendation.