Receiving a University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Distinguished Alumni Award is George Gabera, a senior military officer with the U.S. Navy and retired police detective who resides in London, United Kingdom.
Gabera earned a UW-Oshkosh degree in political science in 1992. In 1997, he earned a master’s degree in Defense Policy Analysis/National Security Studies from California State University, San Bernadino, and enlisted in the Navy Reserve.
UW-Oshkosh Distinguished Alumnus George Gabera ’92 and his wife, Jennifer, are parents to three children, daughters Madeline and Abigail; and a son, Alex.
Gabera is employed by the U.S. Navy, as USA Sixth Fleet Liaison Officer to NATO Allied Maritime Command. He most recently demonstrated outstanding performance in the ongoing Middle East conflict, ensuring situational awareness in the Mediterranean Sea during a rapidly changing geopolitical situation.
JD Jackson, a firefighter/paramedic in Orange, California, said he has known Gabera for more than 20 years and said he saw him move up the ranks with the San Bernadino Police Department, from patrol officer all the way to detective working on homicide and crimes against children cases “in one of the most dangerous cities in the country.” In addition, he was part of the police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and was involved in two nationally recognized incidents: apprehension of a suspected cop killer in 2013; and stopping a husband-wife terrorist team in the 2015 San Bernadino terrorist attack.
“In my police profession, I sought to safeguard the citizens of the City of San Bernadino for 20 years. As a plain clothes officer, I worked with troubled kids and often treid to steer them away from the criminal path they were falling into. I am hopeful that I succeeded in at least a few of those cases.”
Gabera said he joined the military because he felt a duty to safeguard the citizens of the nation.
“I am continuing to do just that in the time I have left in this capacity, as I am approaching mandatory retirement,” he said. “I will continue to mentor junior officers and enlisted personnel. By providing a positive leadership example and guiding them in their career aspirations, I believe I will leave the Navy more capable of defending the people of our country than when I entered it.”
Robert Pedre, vice admiral, GBR Navy commander, recommended Gabera for the distinguished alumni award, for his nearly 30 years of dedicated service to U.S. Navy and 20 years of distinguished service with the San Bernadino Police Department.
“Captain Gabera fills a critical role at Allied Maritime Command in his duties as my USA Sixth Fleet Liaison Officer,” he said. “In these consequential times for NATO, he provides a crucial link between my headquarters and the USA Sixth Fleet Commander and staff in Naples, Italy.”
Pedre said Gabera demonstrated outstanding performance in the ongoing Middle East conflict, ensuring that Pedre’s command and his had maritime situational awareness in the Mediterranean Sea during a rapidly changing geopolitical situation.
In addition, he is described as an astute planner—planning multiple Allied maritime exercises that contribute to the core NATO strategy for the deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic in an area that stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea.
George Gabrera, right, enjoys the holidays with with his family: his wife, Jennifer; daughters Madeline and Abigail; and son, Alex.
Gabera said he is most proud of his role as a husband and father and seeing his children excel, though he credited achievements to his wife, who did much of the “heavy lifting of raising children” while he was away.
In his community, Gabera previously served as a youth basketball, little league and youth soccer coach. He said he has stayed in contact with his Fraternity brothers with Delta Sigma Phi, to see if he can provide assistance. A cancer survivor, he is looking forward to retirement within the next few years and exploring the possibility of opening a brewery.
UWO’s role in his life
“UW-Oshkosh gave me a foundation, not only to seek knowledge, but to apply what I’ve learned in helping my community,” he said. “My studies in political science gave me a keen interest in civics. This interest inspired me to pursue careers in law enforcement and the military. I’d like to think that I have made a difference in both of those endeavors.”
The University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh will celebrate the talents and successes of eight alumni during Homecoming 2026 this October. Gabera is among four top graduates to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for their accomplishments in their professional fields; three will be honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for their professional and civic accomplishments within 15 years of receiving their degrees, and one will receive the Alumni Outstanding Service Award for making exemplary contributions to support UWO through volunteer efforts, energy, leadership and/or philanthropic donations.
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Eight UWO alumni to be honored at 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration Homecoming Weekend