Marine Corps Air Station

Sergeant Major Chavez serves as Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton California.

Sergeant Major Chavez enlisted in The United States Marine Corps on August 23, 1994, and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California in November 1994. Upon completion, he was assigned the military occupational specialty (MOS) 0311, Infantry Rifleman.

After graduating from Infantry Training school on February of 1995 he reported to Lima Company 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Division Kaneohe Bay Hawaii for duty.

In September of 1995 he deployed to Okinawa for 6 months. During this deployment he participated in Operation Force Light Awate Japan.

In December of 1996 Lance Corporal Chavez deployed again to Okinawa Japan where he deployed to Pohang Korea for training with the Korean Rock Marines.

In December of 1997 he was promoted to Corporal. Corporal Chavez was honorably discharged in August of 1998, where he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. In March 1999 Corporal Chavez re-enlisted back into the Marine Corps and received orders to India Company 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Division Kaneohe Bay Hawaii for duty.

In August of 1999 Sergeant Chavez was promoted and received orders to attend the Sergeant Course at Marine Corps base Kaneohe Bay Hawaii. After completion of Sergeants Course he attended the Squad Leaders Course.

Sergeant deployed in June 2000 to Okinawa and was immediately sent to Camp Pendleton CA for Advance Platoon Sergeants Course and received the MOS of 0369.

In December of 2000 Sergeant Chavez did a Lateral Move to the Aviation Community to work as a Turbo Engine Mechanic for the EA-6B Prowlers. Sergeant Chavez attended “A” and “C” school after completion of school he received orders to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point North Carolina.

Sergeant Chavez requested orders in December 2002 to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2003. Upon graduating Drill Instructor School in March 2003, he reported to Delta Company 1st Recruit Training Battalion for Drill Instructor duty. Staff Sergeant Chavez served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Series Drill Instructor for 1st Battalion Delta Company. While on Drill Instructor Duty he attended the Career Course in Camp Pendleton California.

Following a successful tour from Drill Instructor duty, in June of 2006 Staff Sergeant Chavez received orders back to Cherry Point North Carolina to report to Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron 14. Which he was assign as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of work center 41-Alpha mechanic shop. Staff Sergeant Chavez was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November 2007. Gunnery Sergeant Chavez deployed to Iraq with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 in March 2008, upon returning back to Cherry Point North Carolina, he received orders to the Advance Course in Camp LeJeune North Carolina.

Upon completing the Advanced Course, in January 2009 Gunnery Sergeant Chavez received orders to Whidbey Island Washington to serve as an MOS Instructor.

In December 2010 Gunnery Sergeant Chavez was selected to First Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Chavez attended the 1st Sergeants Course in February 2011. Upon Completion of the 1st Sergeants Course he received orders to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion as Echo Company First Sergeant. Fist Sergeant deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2011 and returned to Camp Pendleton in May of 2012. Echo Company was disbanded in which First Sergeant Chavez rolled up the Echo Company Guidon and was assigned to Alpha Company. First Sergeant Chavez attended the Senior Enlisted PME Course in Quantico Virginia during this time.

In January 2014 First Sergeant Chavez received orders to Combat Logistics Regiment 15 as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant, where he was awarded an impact Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

In January 2015 First Sergeant Chavez received orders to 1st Maintenance Battalion and was assigned to the largest company in Maintenance Battalion, Reparable Management Company as the Company First Sergeant. In November 2015 First Sergeant Chavez was selected to Sergeant Major.

First Sergeant Chavez was promoted to SgtMaj in February 2016 and received orders to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Camp Pendleton California.

Sergeant Major Chavez’s personnel decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy, and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of third award).

Sergeant Major Chavez lives in Oceanside California and is blessed with one daughter Gabrielle who resides in Washington State.