Soldiers who worked under Herrera’s leadership collectively described him as a “spiritual, intelligent gentleman who displays a different type of leadership. Even with a quiet demeanor, he always gets his point across while allowing his subject matter experts to take the lead and accomplish the job. His Soldiers knew they always had the support of Col. Herrera. He always took time to get to know his Soldiers and always cared about their well-being. Col. Herrera is a legend.”
Herrera began active duty service with the 16th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Germany, as a platoon leader supporting an armored task force and executive officer of the Divisional Ribbon Bridge Co. He was elected to attend the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and represent the Engineer School as a member of the combined arms team. He attended Ranger School overseas and earned the coveted Merrill’s Marauder award. He graduated in class 1385 Special Forces Det., Europe. He was then assigned to U.S. Army South, Panama, to serve with the 536th Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion. He served as battalion S-1 and Task Force S-3 for numerous engineer and Humanitarian Civic Action deployments in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Honduras. During this period, the situation with General Noriega and the Panamanian Defense Forces was deteriorating and Herrera was selected to re-activate the 59th Combat Engineer Company (a separate combat engineer company with Airborne capability) to support the 193rd Infantry Brigade and his was the lead company to enter Noriega’s compound during Operation Just Cause.
He was then assigned to Purdue University and earned his Masters degree. After that, he was assigned as a Foreign Area Officer with duties instructing at the Venezuelan Military Engineer School and director of instructional development. After nearly 13 years of active duty, Herrera left the military and joined Nextel International as Vice President of Engineering and Operations for Latin America – responsible for managing and building wireless networks in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Mexico.
In 2002, Herrera opened his company to engineer and fabricate High Power Transmission and Telecommunication Towers and in June 2016, sold his company. In 2015, he and his cousin opened Indian Motorcycle of Albuquerque which they operate today. In 2006, Herrera joined the NMNG as a senior engineer in the 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
His leadership helped his unit perform exceptionally during Warfighter 2006. He was then assigned as the 717th Brigade Support Battalion executive officer; commander, 615th Transportation Battalion; commander, 1st U.S. Army Support Battalion, Sinai, Egypt, Multinational Peacekeeping Operations. After, he served as the 93rd’s executive officer and closed out his career as commander of the 93rd.
According to his peers, he is respected by his Soldiers and peers for his compassion, intelligence and his immeasurable contributions to the NMNG will play a significant part in the future of the agency. He provided mentorship and excellent leadership skills that will leave a mark on both the officer and enlisted corps for many years to come.
And after all this, when asked about his inspiration for joining the Army, he said, “I have been so blessed in my life and I want to demonstrate God’s love by showing the same love to my Soldiers. It is not about me, it’s about my Soldiers.”
Herrera was awarded the NM Distinguished Service Medal, letters of appreciation from U.S. Army leadership and Certificates of Appreciation for Gov. Susana Martinez and the Adjutant General. Additionally, he received TAGs coin, a plaque for service from the 93rd, an autographed Blackhawk poster from Aviation, MP coin, honoree MP patch, badge and a state surgeon coin and band-aids for future use on the ranch.
His family’s rich legacy of service includes his grandfather Fermin Eliu Herrera serving in the U.S. Army during World War I; father Eliu Herrera served in the Army during the Korean War; his brother Gabe in Vietnam as a Marine; son, Capt. Louis Herrera served with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan and continues to serve in the NMNG and his wife Liz served in the U.S. Air Force.
In his farewell speech, a humble Herrera welcomed Col. Mike Treadwell and his wife Debbie to the 93rd and thanked all family members, friends, military and civilian dignitaries who took the time to witness our honored military tradition of a change of command. He also thanked his Soldiers of the 93rd for taking part in the change of command.
He acknowledged Lt. Col. Dominic Dennis, Command Sgt. Maj. James Verdugo, and the entire 93rd staff for always doing a job well done.
Herrera said that for any military officer and especially for himself, command is the most prestigious duty an officer can be assigned to and commanding a brigade-size unit is the most satisfying, yet a demanding duty and a source of satisfaction beyond measurable.
“President Teddy Roosevelt summed up leadership when he said the best executive is the one who has the good sense to hire good men to do what he wants done and holds self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it,” Herrera said. “That has been my philosophy from my time leading Soldiers and while others want you to believe that leadership is telling others what to do – and there is a time to give orders – it is as much as finding the right people, stepping back and letting them perform.”
Herrera told his Guard family that he has seen them execute their duty under incredibly miserable conditions and never complain.
“I have seen you protect, defend and care for your country and your state,” Herrera said. “You have more than fulfilled a Soldier’s charge, you have done your duty to the very best of your ability and no one could ask more. I have not the words to tell you how humbled I am to have served among you all.”
He thanked Nava, Miera, and Garcia for their friendship and sage counsel and said he owes each one a great debt of gratitude and thanked Nava for the opportunity to lead the Soldiers of the 93rd and serve the great state of New Mexico and the U.S. Army.
“My gratitude stems from the fact that I have always felt the result from cooperative support of officers, NCOs, enlisted Soldiers in the New Mexico National Guard,” he said. “I commend all those in the 93rd for magnificently performing duty, for flawless attention to duty and incredible professionalism. You have served me, your command, the U.S. Army and your country in a way that you can always be proud.”
Herrera said it seems unfair in life that the media spends hours of time telling the exploits of stars, politicians and athletes; yet the Soldier’s selfless dedication to duty is often left to the footnotes of history. He asked that on Memorial Day, we all honor our fallen service members, those that have served and those that are serving; and never forget the proud generations that fought in our nation’s conflicts, including those Soldiers from the 93rd serving right now in Afghanistan.
“After 17 years of war, do not allow our nation to become callous to the sacrifices and danger that you and our service members experienced,” Herrera cautioned. “When you see our flag flying overhead, let it serve you as a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom.”
He told his children that his military career has not always been easy on them and he appreciates the love and support they have always given me. He thanked Liz – his wife, soul mate and best friend – for being his supporter, sustainer, friend and confidant and easing his burden for the past 35 years.
“It has been my honor and distinct pleasure to serve in the New Mexico National Guard and to work with you all,” Herrera said. “Legacy of honor.”]]>
