| Customs and Border Protection employee awarded for service to his country
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Senior Customs Inspector Juan Cancino came to U.S. Customs after a full career in the U.S. Armed Services. He spent 12 years with, and retired from, the Marine Corps after serving 12 years in the Army. By the end of his military career, Cancino had attended numerous schools and received many prestigious awards.U.S. Army
Juan Cancino's military career began on October 17, 1966, when he enlisted in the United States Army. He served three consecutive tours in Vietnam as a reconnaissance sergeant and spent time in Germany and Italy.His Army schooling included parachute, pathfinder, reconnaissance, ranger, and special operations warfare at Fort Benning, Ga. He attended the 7th Army Staff NCO Academy at Bad Toez, Germany, and the Special Security and Intelligence Agency School at Fort Gordon, Ga.U.S. Marine Corps
In October 1978, he transferred from the Army to the Marine Corps. While with the Marines, Cancino saw action in Lebanon, Grenada, and Panama. He was also stationed at Camp Lejune, N.C.; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; the Pentagon; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During his career with the Marines, Cancino served as an artillery scout observer and fire support operations chief, interrogator-translator, and counterintelligence special agent.His Marine Corps training included the counterintelligence special agents academy and interrogator-translator and strategic de-briefing courses at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; and intelligence analysis training in Norfolk, Va. He also attended the staff non-commissioned officers' academy at Quantico, Va.Cancino retired from the Marine Corps in August 1990.U.S. Customs Service
In October 1991, Cancino joined the U.S. Customs Service as an inspector at JFK International Airport. He soon joined the contraband enforcement team and was the first inspector to be selected for the aircraft search team, where he made several seizures of drugs and currency. He wrote an aircraft search manual for inspectors. He is now a supervisory inspector in baggage and continues to make seizures.Military decorations
Cancino's decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, four Bronze Stars with "V" device, a Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and two Air Medals with "V" device. He also received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and other service and foreign awards.All of the men and women who work for the Department of Homeland Security serve their country and many have been decorated for their accomplishments. Whether they have served in the military or not, we can be proud of each and every one of our fellow employees. |
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