Raul Barragan was stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2005 to 2007 with the 315 Engineering Company under Combined Joint Task Force – 76 Tiger, 10th Mountain Division.
He is a versatile leader with a distinguished background in business and non-profit governance. Since 2019, he has been a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3834, where he has held various significant roles such as Post, Senior Vice and Junior Vice Commander, Veterans Service Officer, and Trustee. At the district level, he has served as District, Senior Vice, and Junior Vice Commander, and at the state level as Marketing Chair. Raul is also a member of the American Legion San Fernando Post 176.
Among his accomplishments are being featured in the nationally recognized 2021 edition of We Are the Mighty’s: Mighty 25 list and being voted Veteran of the Year for the 39th Assembly District in 2021. Under his leadership, VFW Post 3834 was recognized as VFW National Post of the Month in June 2021, significantly enhancing its local and national visibility.
Raul's commitment to personal and professional development is underscored by his educational accomplishments, including earning a Master of Business for Veterans from USC Marshall School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary's University.
During his military service, Raul earned several Awards and Decorations, including the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, and NATO Medal.
Currently, Raul is a managing partner in a mental health practice covering all of California via telehealth, working alongside his wife and two children.