A West Point Grad Fights Terrorists In The Philippines: The First Filipino Nininger Award Recipient

MAJ Floren Herrera of the Philippine Army, USMA 13, received the 2024 Nininger Award for his actions combatting Islamic terrorists in the Philippines from 2015 to 2017 serving with the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR). For these engagements, he was awarded four Gold Cross Medals (3rd highest Filipino award) and one Distinguished Conduct Star (2nd highest Filipino award). In this interview, he talks about his childhood, his West Point experiences, and his service in the Philippine Army. He recalls growing up in poverty and striving to be successful. His path led him to the Philippine Military Academy, which was modeled after West Point. He seized the opportunity to become an international Cadet at the United States Military Academy. During his Buckner summer detail as a CFT (Cadet Field Training) Squad Leader, he learned two important lessons from key failures that he credits with saving the lives of his Soldiers later. He majored in Chemical Engineering because he felt that it was the most challenging. He served as the 3rd Regiment Honor Representative, and did well militarily. Following graduation, he returned to the Philippines, and after serving as a Tactical Officer and Operations Officer at the Philippine Military Academy, he joined the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment (a unit that had been founded by a West Point graduate). He then describes several combat actions against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group and the Maute terrorist group, including the Battle of Marawi, the longest urban battle in recent Philippine history. He plans to continue serving with the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and notes that “West Point gave me the tools to make a difference.”