First Sergeant Michael Patrick Barros began his military career in the delayed-entry program on July 1, 1988 and entered active duty on October 20, 1988. He has held numerous leadership positions within the United States Army, California National Guard and the United States Army Reserves including command leadership positions as the acting Battalion Command Sergeant Major 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne).
As a career Soldier, he has held leadership positions of increased responsibilities including Military Police Team Leader during the Los Angeles Riots and a Squad Leader during the Northridge earthquakes. He was an Instructor at the Military Police School Ft. Hunter Liggitt, CA and Platoon Sergeant of a Combat Military Police Company deployed in support of GWOT Ft Lewis, WA. He deployed as a Civil Affairs First Sergeant to Baghdad, Iraq, and was a Team Leader and 1SG deployed to Gardez, Afghanistan. 1SG Barros also supported three PACOM missions to Thailand and twice to Korea while assigned to USACAPOC.
His military awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachute Wings, the Bronze Star Medal w/ (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal w/ Valor (V device) and (1 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3nd Knot), the Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal (3 OLC's), the National Defense Service Medal (1 star), the Iraq Campaign Medal (2 stars), the Afghan Campaign medal (1 star), the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, The Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver Hourglass, Mobilization device and Numeral 3), the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Service Ribbon (Numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, The NATO Medal, the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 OLC), the Army Superior Unit Award (1OLC), and the Army Joint Meritorious Unit Award. 1SG Barros has been awarded seven foreign jump wings. 1SG Barros is also a recipient of the Order of the Combat Spur from the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 25th Infantry Division (A). 1SG Barros mobilized in support of Operation Nobel Eagle 2002 to 2003, as a Military Policeman to Ft Lewis, WA. To Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 to 2004 as a Civil Affairs First Sergeant, and to Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) 2008 to 2009 as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant and First Sergeant
First Sergeant Barros maintains a civilian career as a Detective. He has been with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for the past 19 years. He is married to Lorena and they have three children Jakob (15), Cheyenne (13), and Kaleb (11).Â