Born and raised in El Sereno, California, MST2 Rosa Gomes Gavidia was instilled with a determined independence and deep pride in her Latina roots by her Salvadorian born single mother, Martha. Rosa was raised alongside her brother, Herbert, and sister, Nadia in a Spanish speaking household.

Upon graduating from High School in 2003 in El Sereno, CA, Rosa enrolled in California State University of Los Angeles, completing her BA in Child Development while interning for the National Parks Service. This 4-year internship, which began in high school and continued throughout university, instilled a love of the natural world and a desire to protect it. This internship inspired a career that would empower her to not only pursue her passion for the environment, but also give back to her community and the country. It was not long before Rosa spoke with a Coast Guard recruiter who informed her of the mission. Immediately intrigued by the Coast Guard’s Marine Environmental Protection program Rosa began the recruitment process to joining the Coast Guard as a Marine Science Technician.

Rosa completed basic training in May 2016 and reported to the USCGC POLAR STAR as a fireman, where she was assigned as a member of the auxiliary machinery team. While on board, she served on Operation Deep Freeze and earned her Antarctica Service Medal while on patrol to several foreign countries and Antarctica. After a year onboard, Rosa seized the opportunity to support Patrol Forces – Southwest Asia and deployed to Bahrain as an Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection watch stander. While based in Bahrain, she also supported operations in Kuwait, Oman and Dubai and earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service in the war against terrorism while on foreign shores.

Following her tour in Southwest Asia, she attended specialization training to become a Marine Science Technician and advanced to E-4, beginning her career as a petty officer in Juneau, AK. While in Juneau, Rosa obtained several qualifications including pollution response, facility inspector, container inspector, and explosive shipment supervisor. In addition to basic duties, she also certified as a Spanish translator, Command Financial Specialist, sexual assault Victim Advocate, and as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) trainer. As one of less than 100 active duty USCG ASIST trainers, she has been active in supporting the District Commander’s Campaign to Connect initiative, training and certifying dozens of Coast Guard members to recognize suicide behaviors and intervene to save lives. Her tour in Juneau saw her receive multiple honors and awards, including multiple nominations for enlisted person of the quarter, an advancement to E5.

Rosa was selected in attend Officer Candidate School in April of 2023 and will depart for training in January of 2024.