Although the Apache Indian tribes may be known for their historical conflicts with the Mexicans throughout much of the 17th and 18th centuries, Master Sgt. Gabriel Fierro Sr. is proud of his blended heritage. Tracing his family’s roots back to the Apache and Aztec Indian tribes, his parents’ ancestors set foot on American soil long before the creation of our nation and the Army. His father, who is part Apache Indian and part Mexican, and mother, who is part Mayan and part Aztec Indian, raised Fierro to be proud of his heritage and devoted to the land in which he lived. The Soldier, who is the fourth family member to serve in the Army, uses his blended background to help others, including the younger enlisted Soldiers in his unit and his own children.
The self-proclaimed “cultural chameleon” has been able to use his blended American Indian and Hispanic heritages to better relate with both cultural groups, speaking Spanish to Hispanic Soldiers and discussing the warrior ethos of the Indian tribes with American Indian Soldiers. However, regardless of a Soldier’s heritage, Fierro is committed to helping them prepare for life within the Army. In addition to mentoring and leading the Soldiers in his unit, Fierro is also a dedicated father, striving to instill Army Strong values in his children.
“Everything I teach my Soldiers, I teach my kids, and vice versa. I want everyone to be treated for who they are, not what they look like,” said Fierro.
Drawing on his own blended cultural heritage, Fierro emphasizes to both his fellow Soldiers and children the importance of being open-minded and accepting, as well as teaching them to base opinions on others’ actions, not their race or heritage.
When Fierro enlisted in the Army in the late 1970s, he was following in not only a tradition of excellence for Noncommissioned Officers (NCO), but his family as well. With Fierro’s father and two brothers serving as NCOs in the Army, he joined right out of high school, thinking he would serve for a few years before starting a civilian career. However, he has continued to serve, knowing that his Army service provides him with a meaningful career and enables him to do what he loves most – helping others.
An extension of Fierro’s commitment to helping others, the Soldier deployed to Balad, Iraq in 2007-2008 to serve as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant. While deployed, the 431st Civil Affairs Team successfully completed more than 130 combat missions working with local provincial government to improve employment options for Iraqis. One of the most notable projects during his deployment was helping to institute the first micro-loan program in the Salah- Ah-Din region, to create economic stability. For meritorious service throughout his deployment, the NCO was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. True to his commitment as a leader and mentor, Fierro took it upon himself to maintain the morale of the unit, frequently sharing care packages with other Soldiers who didn’t have an active support system at home.
Fierro, along with his wife and children, currently lives in Charlotte, N.C., where he serves with the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) as a Human Resources Manager. In that role, he works to prepare Soldiers for mobilization, as well as help them balance their roles as citizens and Soldiers. With more than three decades of Army service, the Reservist has plans to retire in the fall of 2010, and feels confident that the Army has provided him with skills transferable to many civilian occupations.
Wow,
I would like to thank you for the article, I did not know this until I was checking my name under Google search.
I am just an old schmuck, trying to save the world, one person at a time.
Thanks again, and Have a great holiday.
Sincerely,
MSG Gabriel Fierro Sr.
“Fierro, along with his wife and children, currently lives in Charlotte, N.C.?”
So which wife is it?
Maria, Michelle, Carol, Cathy, Stacy, or Sylvia?
And which children?
Christian, Jacob, Alexis, Emily, Nickolas, Gabriel Jr., or the ones you don’t even know about?
So the thing is, you shouldn’t have been picked, you only served one year in Iraq, while the rest of the years you were behind a desk. You’re still alive and well, while the ones that are dead have spent their lives in dedication to the war. Whereas you think that spending one year in Iraq, you deserve a medal. Whoopydoo.
That is an awesome article! Not sure who made the negative comment, but wow! I guess they are scared of a desk pusher like you! lol…someone who has no respect for themselves or others.
Anonymous,
Spoken like the self-absorbed prick I’ve come in contact with so many times in my career. Obviously, a junior enlisted Soldier who doesn’t know how things work at the senior enlisted ranks. Guess what, numbnuts? I only served a year in Iraq as well. And because I’m a Master Sergeant as well, there aren’t many combat roles for me to play that DON’T involve a desk. Maybe you should reach down and grab your sack and man up. There are different MOS and different jobs in the military. You’re probably part of the 10% that people like MSG Fierro and I have to dedicate 90% of our time towards.
Good morning,
Wow, never knew I rated such negative comments. I am a desk pusher, my first four years as a Cavalry Scout, very proud of that as well. As an HR manager, I requested 15 times to be sent to Iraq, and after three years, I was able to be on the front line with my fellow Soldiers. I was there to do a job, pulled over 140 combat missions, was decorated with a Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge, however, everyone is absolutely correct, I am not the hero, my war buddies are. The junior Soldiers who placed themselves in danger to make the mission happen, the ones who stood guard, along side me, (I pulled guard duty, mess duty, gunner, driver, as well as my MSG Duties).
If I did anything to offend the negative emailer, I truly apologize, as in my youth, I may have done some dumb things, (Actually, everyone I have known will agree to that as well) however, we all hope to learn, to look inside ourselves and decide that we no longer want to be that person, and that change is always possible. I know that some people live on being negative, living with hate in their heart, and that must eat them alive, as I have been there, stopped doing it.
I will not hide behind being anonymous, not afraid to confront anyone who has decided that I am not worthy. You are absolutely right, I am not. I serve the United States of America, I am an Apache Indian, an American Soldier for the past 32 years, am proud of my heritage, and acknowledge that I am humbled every day by the Soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan for multiple tours, that have come back, broken in mind or body, or even lose their home, their family, and most of all their lives. I pray for them every day, I pray for the people who do not understand that everyone, no matter how small their part is in this war, is important, and that even a “desk Jockey” can do their job with integrity and honor.
If anyone cares to contact me, and I can either explain or apologize for past transgressions, I can be reached at elvisp61@hotmail.com, or my cell phone is 704-907-8836. My forefathers believed that a true warrior is not the one that fights every battle, but one that lives with faith, honor, courage, and integrity, and in the tribes hour of need, will always be of service, always stand on the front line, and in that case, I am that Apache Warrior. HHHOOOAAAHHH!!!
Excelsior,
Master Sergeant
Gabriel D. Fierr Sr
US Army
Good job for the article.
Haterz gonna hate and I respect my father and probably the son who will always be with him through the toughest times so when a negative comment and wants to start something with him and puts their name as anymonous tells you that you that they are scared to give their name out to the world.
So que te vas hacer?
Y Tu sabes quien yo soy.