The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is endorsing the 105th Combat Veteran For Congress to run for office in 2016.  He is a fiscally conservative candidate who will work to reduce the national debt, to strengthen the US Armed Forces, will support the Free Enterprise System, will work to defeat ISIS, protect the Freedom of Religion guaranteed in the US Constitution, defend traditional Family Values, and will provide “true” representation for the average Americans in Washington, D.C.  He will continue to work toward unleashing the private sector to grow once again, create jobs, stimulate private sector business investment, and will work to stop the out of control spending by the Congress.  SgtMaj Juan M. Hidalgo, Jr., USMC (Ret) who resides in San Diego, CA, served in the US Marine Corps for 31 years and is running for Congress in the 51st Congressional District of California.  

SgtMaj Hidalgo is running for a seat held by two-term Congressman Juan C. Vargas (D-CA-51) and has voted along the party with Nancy Pelosi line 98% of the time, and has contributed to the irresponsible, out of control spending by the Obama administration.  The incumbent voted against repealing the flawed Obamacare Law, voted to reduce Tricare benefits for military veterans & retirees, and voted against extending the requirement of implementation of Obamacare for private citizens.   

Juan Hidalgo was born in San Diego, CA on February 26, 1966.  He spent his youth in National City, CA and obtained a high school diploma from the National University High School in National City, on March 1, 1984.  Juan attended Central Texas College in Killeen, TX and received an Associate Degree in General Studies.  He attended Park University in Parkville, MO and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice (Summa Cum Laude) in May 2014.   

Juan Hidalgo was sworn into the US Marine Corps at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego on April 3, 1984.  He began basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, and completed recruit training as a Marine Rifleman on June 22, 1984 and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class (PFC) on July 2, 1984.  In August 1984, PFC Hidalgo was ordered to Marine Detachment, Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky for Basic Tank Crewman Course; he completed training on December 2, 1984.  Upon completion of training he was promoted to Lance Corporal.  

In December 1984, LCpl Hidalgo reported to Recruiting Station, San Diego, Recruiting Sub-Station National City, CA as a Recruiter’s Aide and, upon completion of the tour, was meritoriously promoted to Corporal on September 2, 1985.  In October 1985, Cpl Hidalgo reported to Tracked Vehicle Company C, 1st Tank Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA, where he served as a gunner, tank commander, and section leader.  Cpl Hidalgo was promoted to Sergeant on September 1, 1989 during this assignment. 

In October 1989, Sergeant Hidalgo received orders to MCRD, San Diego.  He was assigned to Company A, First Recruit Training Battalion.  While at MCRD, he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor in Company A and Receiving Barracks.  In January 1992, Sergeant Hidalgo reported to Company C, 3rd Tank Battalion, Twenty-nine Palms, CA.  He served as a platoon sergeant, platoon commander, and tank leader during this tour and was promoted to Staff Sergeant on February 1, 1995.

In February 1995, SSgt Hidalgo reported to Marine Detachment Fort Knox, KY, as a primary military occupational specialty instructor.  During this tour, he served as a tank commander, section leader, tank leader, and special projects staff noncommissioned officer.  In August 1998, SSgt Hidalgo reported to Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, Twenty-nine Palms, CA. During this assignment he served as a platoon sergeant and company master gunner.  In 1999, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on September 1, 1999.  Also during this tour, he twice prepared and deployed his tank platoon with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and served as company gunnery sergeant and First Sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company. 

In December 2002, GySgt Hidalgo was assigned to Company A, and on January 26, 2003 deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF).  During this tour GySgt Hidalgo was a Tank Commander/Platoon Sergeant in 2nd Platoon, A Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division.  He was engaged in combat operations throughout Iraq.  The 1st Tank Battalion combat operations started as they crossed into Iraq at Safwan Hill Iraq moved to Al Basrah, Iraq, and then up Highway Seven into Baghdad.  On May18,2003, the Battalion redeployed to Twenty-nine Palms.

On September 1, 2003 GySgt Hidalgo was promoted to First Sergeant, and assigned to Support Company, Combat Service Support Battalion-10.  In February 18, 2004, First Sergeant Hidalgo again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF 2). During this tour First Sergeant Hidalgo was the Company First Sergeant with Combat Service Support Company-119 (CSSC-119), Combat Logistic Battalion 7, 1stFleet Service Support Group.  CSSC-119 was tasked with moving from Kuwait to Al- Asad Air Base.  From the air base they ran supply convoys throughout Iraq on a daily basis, at a time when all areas were hostile.  On September 2, 2004, his company redeployed; he filled the billet of Sergeant Major, Combat Service Support Battalion-10.  In July 2005, First  Sergeant Hidalgo reported to Company F, Second Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego. 

In January 2007, First Sergeant Hidalgo reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMLA 169), Camp Pendleton, CA.  On June 1, 2007, he was promoted to Sergeant Major.  On October 19, 2007, the Squadron deployed in support of OIF 06-08.  During that third tour he was a squadron Sergeant Major with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMLA 169), Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing; the squadron is a Huey/Cobra squadron which was based at Al-Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq.  The squadron was tasked with providing air support throughout Iraq, and flew combat missions every day and did not lose one aircraft, one Marine, or Sailor during the deployment.  The squadron redeployed to Camp Pendleton on May 14, 2008.

In August 2008, SgtMaj Hidalgo reported to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and on March 15, 2010 he reported to 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and he deployed from February 21, 2011 to September 29, 2011 with CENTCOM West PAC, as the Senior Enlisted Leader, of the forward deployed Marine Expeditionary Force’s Sergeant Major. In May 2013, SgtMaj Hidalgo reported to Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, US SOUTHCOM, and assumed the duties as the Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Sergeant Major.  At the end of his two-year tour in GTMO he returned to the Continental United States and retired from the United States Marine Corps on 1 October 2015.  

Sergeant Major Hidalgo’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 Gold Stars in lieu of 4th award), Join Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" (3 Gold Stars in lieu of 4th award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 Gold Stars in lieu of 3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, various unit awards including the Presidential Unit Citation, Campaign and Service Medals.  SgtMaj Hidalgo holds a First Degree Black Belt from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. 

Since retirement from active duty, SgtMaj Hidalgo has remained active in his community and his church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church of San Diego, where he serves as an local elder, and board member.  He has been very active along with his family, continually volunteering for causes such as Toys For Tots, Volunteers of America, and feeding the homeless.  He is a member of the Marine Corps Association, the NRA, the VFW, the American Legion, the AMVETS, the Marine Corps League, the Navy League, the 1st Marine Division Association, San Diego Latino American Political Association, the Marine Takers Association, the West Coast Drill Instructors Association, and the Fleet Reserve Association.  SgtMaj Hidalgo and his wife of 25 years, Francisca, have three children matriculating in college, Juan Hidalgo 3rd age 24, Gabriel age 22, and Alyssa age 18. 

Shortly after retiring from active duty in the US Marine Corps and receipt of his Honorable Retirement, Sergeant Major Hidalgo declared his candidacy for Congress for the 51st Congressional District of California on November 20, 2015, where he was raised in his youth, graduated from high school, then raised his right hand and swore to protect and defend the US Constitution on entering the US Marine Corps.  SgtMaj Hidalgo honored his steadfast commitment to defend the Republic while in the US Marine Corps for 31 years during peaceful operations, and in combat.  The 51st Congressional District includes portions of San Diego County, all of Imperial County, and the entire US/Mexican Border across California.  He has been endorsed by Congressman Duncan L. Hunter (Ret), GySgt Nick Popaditch, USMC (Ret), Councilwoman Helen Noriega (D-Brawley), Lynette Williams, President of the Women Volunteers in Politics & is a member of the San Diego County Republican Central Committee, CMDCM Larry Wilske, USN (Ret) (SEAL), Doris Rivas-Brekke (Daily Dose of Dialogue with Doris), Lincoln Pickard, the Republican candidate for the 80th State Assembly District,  community activist Don Floyd, the Combat Veterans For Congress PAC, and Special Operations for America PAC.

The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is pleased to endorse SgtMaj Juan M. Hidalgo, Jr., USMC (Ret) who will bring to the US Congress his extensive experience in the US Marine Corps and wisdom to better solve problems in government and represent the State of California.  If you review SgtMaj Hidalgo’s positions on his Web site, you would be pleased with his stands; they agree with the Combat Veterans For Congress Mission Statement.  We look forward to working with SgtMaj Hidalgo, and are pleased that a Combat Veteran of his caliber is running for US House.  If you have friends, associates, or relatives who know voters in Southern California, kindly pass this E-mail on to them, and ask them to support SgtMaj Hidalgo by working in his campaign, providing financial support for his campaign in any amount, and/or by networking with others who would be willing to support his campaign.  The military is one of the few remaining institutions producing the caliber of men and women needed to restore this nation to the greatness our Founding Fathers envisioned.  We have endorsed another Combat Veteran For Congress that General George Washington would have approved of.  He is a Veteran who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount “up to and including his life.”