Sergeant Major Jesse Acosta
Jesse R. Acosta, born in East Los Angeles and raised in Santa Fe Springs he
comes from humble beginnings. In December of 1975 at the age of 18 Jesse enlisted
into the US Army. Soon after he graduated Basic Training and Infantry school
(11B).
In May of 1976, Acosta was attached to 2/39th Infantry Division at Ft. Lewis
Washington. In June of 1978 then a Corporal he was transferred to the 187th
Combat Support Unit in Baumholder, Germany. In December of 1979 he earned his
well deserved Sergeant stripes, he re-enlisted and reclassified as a Multi
Channel Communications Operator (31M) at the School of Communications at Ft.
Gordon, GA. In 1980, Acosta was assigned to HQ, HQ Battery 2/55th Air Defense
Artillery out of Ft. Bliss, TX. He separated from the active military after
completing his second contract November 15, 1982. He took a two year break
then realized that it wasn’t time to throw in the towel and enlisted in the
Army Reserve. He enlisted as a Sergeant and was signed to D Co. 14th Combat
Engineers out of El Monte, CA. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1986 and
was assigned to the 349th General Hospital out of Los Angeles, CA. He was promoted
to Sergeant First Class in 1991 and received the position of interim 1SG (1st
Sergeant) from 1996-1998. In July of 1998 1SG Acosta was assigned to the 3rd
BN (Battalion) 3/62nd with the 91st Training Support BN, out of Norco, CA where
he was promoted to Master Sergeant. He only managed to stay one year before
he was requested by name to return to the 349th General Hospital as their 1SG.
Upon his return he attended Combat Medic School (91W) and graduated from the
1SG Academy. In June 2003, 1SG Acosta joined the Individual Ready Reserve program
and remained there until he was called to active duty for Mobilization with
the 376th AG BN DET. 4 (Adjutant General Battalion Detachment 4) June 2005.
The 376th AG BN DET. 4 mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom August
20, 2005. The unit was assigned to LSA (logistical support area) Anaconda in
Balad, the largest support base in Iraq. 1SG Acosta received his hard-earned
promotion to SGM (Sergeant Major) effective January 01, 2006. On January 16,
2006, SGM Acosta was wounded in a mortar attack on LSA Anaconda. The most severe
of his injuries are the loss of sight in his right eye and the loss of vision
in his left eye.
His Military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC),
Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), Advanced Non Commissioned Officer
Course (ANOC), and the 1SG Academy. He also attended Infantry School (11B),
Multi Channel Communications Operator School (31M) and Combat Medic School
(91W).
SGM Acosta’s awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service
Medal, (6) Army Commendation Medal, (3) Army Achievement Medals, (3) Army Good
Conduct Medal, (6) Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, (2) National Defense
Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with a Silver Hourglass and the “ M”
device, the Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with
the number “3”, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon,
the Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.