Sgt. Daniel Alvarado is a 13-year veteran of the United States Army and is currently serving as part of the Why We Serve speakers program. He recently returned from assignment in Afghanistan in April 2007, and is speaking to groups around the country about his personal experiences serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In April 2006, Alvarado deployed to Afghanistan with the 27th Engineer Battalion as a member of the Alpha Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, Alvarado was responsible for maintenance and service for various pieces of Army equipment, as well as the health, welfare and training of his section of mechanics.
Alvarado joined the Army in 1995, when he attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. In January 2005, Alvarado deployed with the 44th Engineer Battalion to Korea and Iraq as a part of the 2nd Initiating Directive. As the Company Team Leader, Alvarado while deployed was responsible of preserving the health, welfare and training of his section of mechanics.
A native of Vineland, N.J., Alvarado currently resides in Fayetteville, N.C. and is assigned as a Motor Sgt. with the 27th Engineer Engineering Battalion as a part of the Alpha Company maintenance team. Alvarado is the father of two girls, Clarissa and Kaelyn. When not fulfilling his military responsibilities, Alvarado hopes to reclassify his skills and become an Intelligence Analyst.
Alvarados decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, two Overseas Deployment Ribbons and two NATO Medals. He has also deployed to Kuwait, Kosovo, and Colombia.