Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andres Navarro completed his secondary education in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A former High School Music educator, CWO3 Navarro enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004 and attended recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating in October 2004, Private First Class Navarro attended Marine Combat Training at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, and subsequently reported to the Navy School of Music for training as a Marine Musician. In 2005, as the class Honor Graduate, he was assigned to Marine Band San Diego where he served as a French Horn instrumentalist as well as in a myriad of ancillary billets to include: Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Section Leader, Police Sergeant, Ensemble Leader, Staff Arranger, Vocalist, and Assistant Enlisted Conductor.
Following his tour of duty with Marine Band San Diego, Sergeant Navarro was transferred to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band where he served as a French Horn instrumentalist, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Staff Arranger, Vocalist, Bassist, Percussionist, and Assistant Enlisted Conductor. During this tour of duty he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant (2010) and soon thereafter volunteered to serve as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. As the Honor Graduate of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Drill Instructor School Class 2-11, SSgt Navarro was assigned to Golf Company where he built U.S. Marines as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and 2d Battalion Operations Chief.
While on the Drill Field, SSgt Navarro was selected to become a Warrant Officer and promptly reported to the Basic School, India Company. His first assignment as a Warrant Officer entailed service as the Officer in Charge of the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band (2013-2016). After a successful tour, CWO2 Navarro was transferred to the III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Band in Okinawa, Japan. During his tenure with the III MEF Band, he led a myriad of ensembles throughout the Indo-Pacific theatre during engagements in Tokyo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Guam, and Iwo Jima, in keeping with the Commanding General’s mission for the strengthening of diplomatic relations and strategic messaging. Promoted to his current rank in 2018, CWO3 Navarro now serves as the Officer in Charge of the 1st Marine Division Band.
CWO3 Navarro’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award. Further, CWO3 Navarro is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from Grambling State University, a Master of Music degree in Conducting from San Diego State University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Music Education from Boston University.