La Feria native retires from U.S. Army after 30-year career

Updated: July 2, 2020

**Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro Guevara Jr., a native of La Feria, recently retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of active service.** Courtesy photo

Special to LFN

A La Feria native and 1986 graduate of La Feria High School recently retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service to our nation.

On June 22, Support Battalion 196th Infantry Brigade held a retirement ceremony in honor of Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro Guevara Jr., who recently completed serving as the Command Sgt. Maj. for the Support Battalion in Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

During the ceremony, Guevara was awarded the Legion of Merit for the performance of outstanding services and achievements. He was presented with the Military Police Order of Marechaussee (Silver), the Infantry’s Order of the Saint Maurice (Legionnaire), Certificates of Appreciation from the Army Chief of Staff and Commander in Chief, the American Flag, and several other tokens of appreciation. His wife, Hyeonju, was presented with the Military Police Order of the Vivandieres for volunteerism and support to Soldiers and their families. She was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Army Chief of Staff.

Guevara reported to active duty on Oct. 19, 1990 where he completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, as an Infantryman. Four years later, he re-enlisted as a military police soldier and attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

Guevara served in variety of positions, including Bradley driver, anti-armor gunner, team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, battalion operations NCO, company operations NCO, first sergeant, battalion command sergeant major, U.S. Army sergeants major academy operations sergeant major, directorate of emergency services SGM, garrison CSM, Eight Army Provost Marshal SGM, and the CSM for Support Battalion 196th Infantry Brigade.

Guevara’s assignments included tours with the 1-6 Infantry, Vilseck, Germany; 1- 187th Infantry Rakkasans, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 978th Military Police Company, Fort Bliss, Texas; 57th Military Police Company, Camp Carroll, Korea; 411th Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas; 16th Military Police Detachment, Fort Bliss, Texas; 230th Military Police Company, Kaiserslautern, Germany; 93rd Military Police Battalion and 202nd Military Police Company, Fort Bliss, Texas; United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas; Directorate of Public Safety, Fort Rucker, Alabama; United States Army Garrison, Camp Casey, South Korea and 8A Provost Marshal Office, Yongsan, South Korea; and Support Battalion196th Infantry Brigade, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. He was also deployed to Panama and Honduras, and did two tours in Iraq.

Guevara’s military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic and Advanced NCO Courses, Sergeants Major Course (Class 61), Army Instructor Training Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Army Recruiting Course, Combatives Level I, Law Enforcement Senior Leaders Course, Pre-Command Course, Garrison Leaders Course, Anti-Terrorism Level II, and Air Assault School. He also has a bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College in Albany, New York.

His awards and decorations include: The Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (9th award), National Defense Service Medal (1 BS), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (Numeral 5), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver Badge, German Armed Force Proficiency Badge (Bronze), Schutzenschnur (Bronze) and Order of the Marchaussee (Bronze, Silver), and Order of the Saint Maurice (Legionnaire).

He is married to Hyeonju and together they have five children: Danielle, Emily, Ellie, and Kelly. His son Nathan is currently serving in the Air Force Security Forces.