TAMIU ROTC Cadre

Captain Flor A. Gaxiola, a native of San Diego, California, graduated from the University of California, Riverside’s Anderson School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasizing Finance.

Before commissioning, Captain Gaxiola served from 2014 to 2017 with the 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Aviano, Italy. As an Aerial Delivery Parachute Rigger, she supported airborne operations across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Baltic regions.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery in July 2017 through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, she attended the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Sill, OK. Her initial assignment was with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright, AK, from 2018 to 2021. There, she served in various roles, including Assistant S3, Company Fire Support Officer, HHB Executive Officer, and M777A2 Platoon Leader for Bravo Battery.

Following the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course in 2021, Captain Gaxiola was assigned to the 8th Army G3 Fire Support Element at Camp Humphreys, Korea, where she served as a Fire Support and Operations Officer from January 2022 to February 2023. She then commanded the Apocalypse Battery, 6-37 FAR, 210 FAB at Camp Casey, Korea, from 01 May 2023 - 23 May 2024. She is currently the Assistant Professor of Military Science at Texas A&M International University, 5th Brigade ROTC in Laredo, Texas since June 2024.

Captain Gaxiola’s military education includes Ram Air Parachute Systems, Advanced Individual Training for Parachute Riggers, Airborne School, Basic Leader Course, Officer Candidate School, Field Artillery Basic Officer Course, and the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course.

Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 3).

1LT Esquivel first enlisted into the Army Reserve in 2017 and received his commission in May 2021 from the University of Houston-Downtown with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information System. Afterwards was selected to conduct Gold Bar Recruiting with the Strategic Officer Recruiting Detachment based out of Houston, Texas aimed to spread awareness about Senior ROTC programs. In November 2021, 1LT Esquivel attended armor basic officers leaders course at Fort Moore, Georgia.

After completing initial officer training, 1LT Esquivel was assigned to 5-4 Cavalry Squadron, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat team, 1st Infantry Division where he served as an assistant S4 for seven months. Immediately upon arriving at Fort Riley, Kansas in October 2022, 1LT Esquivel deployed to Poland to conduct Operation Assure, Deter, Reinforce. During time as the AS4 he coordinated the entire movement of personnel, equipment and vehicles from Poland to Germany for the Squadron due to a change in the mission set.

In April 2023, he was assigned as 3rd Platoon Leader in Tomahawk Troop, 5-4 CAV. During this period the Squadron's mission required 3rd Platoon to effectively train multi-national partners on weapons, maneuver tactics, and technical expertise on the M1A2 Abrams tank. 3rd Platoon hosted several crew served-weapon ranges and tactics classes for the multi-national partners.

1LT Esquivel completed the rotation and returned to Fort Riley in July 2023. While at Fort Riley, 1LT Esquivel participated in a training progression where he has completed two gunneries and one platoon live fire exercise.

1LT Esquivel currently serves as the General Richard Cavazos Intern at Texas A&M International University.

1LT Esquivel’s awards include the Army Achievement Medal(1 OLC) and the Army Commendation Medal. He is a graduate of Scout Leaders Course, Bradley Leaders Course, Maintenance Leaders Maneuver Course and the Airborne course. 1LT Esquivel is married to the former Michelle Sandoval and has two children: Noah (5) and Amelia (1)