Gunnery Sergeant Gerardo Amado Cordero was born on 18 March 1989 in Camagüey, Cuba. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on October1, 2008 and attended recruit training on March 23, 2009 at Paris Island, North Carolina. Upon graduating recruit training, he reported to Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Lejeune on July 1, 2009.
On July 30, 2009, he reported to US Army Base Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Heavy Equipment Operations School. On September 1, 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
On October 2, 2009, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to 8TH COMM BN II MHG Camp Lejeune, NC and obtained the military occupational specialty of 1345 Heavy Equipment Operator. On May 1, 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. On January 2, 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan for two consecutive tours returning on December 11, 2011. On November 1, 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. On January 11, 2012, he attended School of Infantry East, Martial Arts Combat Training School obtaining the additional military occupational specialty of 0916 Martial Arts Instructor.
On April 23, 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero reported to 4TH TANK BN 4TH MARDIV Hialeah, Florida as temporary Inspector Instructor Staff.
On September 5, 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to MAG-39 MWSS-372 ENG CO Camp Pendleton, CA. On December 4, 2013, he received Temporary Assigned Duty orders to HQ&SVC BN to assume the billet of Camp Pendleton Northern Region Manager. On January 1, 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
On May 6, 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero was reattached to MWSS-372. On September 25, 2015, he deployed with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force as Security Forces Element to Bahrain in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, returning on April 4, 2016.
On July 5, 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, India Company. Gunnery Sergeant Cordero completed six cycles with India Company where he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Routing Chief and received the Dan Daly Award and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. On January 2nd of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On November 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to 2nd Transport Support Battalion. On December of 2019 Gunnery Sergeant Cordero was given temporary assigned duty orders to Combat Logistics Battalion-22 to deploy with the SPMAGTF-Africa 20.2. He served as Engineer Platoon SNCOIC and Company Gunnery Sergeant.
On November 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero returned to 2nd Transportation Support Battalion from temporary duty. He served as the Operations Chief for Heavy Equipment Platoon.
On February 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to 2nd Landing Support Battalion. He served as the Operations Chief for Heavy Equipment Engineer Platoon and Motor Transportation Platoon Respectively, where he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
On June 3, 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to Marine Corps Engineer School. He served as the Logistics Chief Headquarters & Service Company and Equal Opportunity Representative, where he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
On March 3, 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero was selected to attended DoD Joint Staff Patrick Space Force Base, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institution, obtaining the additional military occupational specialty of 0147 Equal Opportunity Advisor where he would receive follow-on orders to serve on the recently awarded MOS capacity.
On August 12, 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero received orders to Marine Aircraft Group 12 Headquarters element where he currently serves as the Equal Opportunity Advisor. On October 1, 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Cordero was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
Gunnery Sergeant Cordero personal awards include Good Conduct Medal with three bronze star in liue of fourth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal first award.