Sergeant Major Alvarez graduated from Murrieta Valley High School in Murrieta, California in 1997. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 1997 and attended recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA. Private Alvarez was promoted to Private First Class in April 1998 while attending MOS school. Upon completing MOS school, he received orders to Okinawa, Japan where he served as a logistics vehicle operator with 3rd Support Battalion, 3rd Force Support Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. While stationed in Okinawa, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
In June 1999, Lance Corporal Alvarez received orders to Camp Pendleton, CA for duty with 1st Transportation Support Battalion, 1st Force Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. Lance Corporal Alvarez was promoted to Corporal in October 1999. In April 2002, Corporal Alvarez was promoted to Sergeant, was honorably discharged, and transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserve.
In November 2002, Sergeant Alvarez joined the Select Marine Corps Reserve and reported to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. In March 2003, Sergeant Alvarez was mobilized and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served as a squad leader. Returning to Camp Pendleton in September 2003, Sergeant Alvarez continued to serve with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
From January through December 2006, Sergeant Alvarez deployed to the Horn of Africa with 4th Provisional Security Company, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Marine Corps Forces Africa, where he served as a squad leader. Sergeant Alvarez was promoted to Staff Sergeant in May 2007, subsequently transferring to 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, Long Beach, CA.
In August 2009, Staff Sergeant Alvarez transferred back to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In December 2010, Staff Sergeant Alvarez was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and transferred to 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, San Diego, CA, where he served as Company Gunnery Sergeant and Senior Enlisted Advisor. From February 2013 through January 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Alvarez mobilized and deployed with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Africa 13.3, where he served as the Team Chief for Team 6.
In May 2014, he was frocked to First Sergeant and transferred to 6th Communication Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, Brooklyn, New York, where he served as the General Support Company First Sergeant.
In May 2017, First Sergeant Alvarez transferred to Counter Intelligence/Human Intelligence Company A, Intelligence Support Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, San Diego, CA.
In July 2020, First Sergeant Alvarez was promoted to Sergeant Major. In August 2020, Sergeant Major Alvarez reported to 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 23d Marine Regiment, Chicago, Illinois, where he served as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
On June 10, 2023, Sergeant Major Alvarez reported to his current command, VMM-764 "Moonlighters" at Miramar, CA, assuming the duties as Squadron Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Alvarez’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal (w/gold star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal (w/gold star in lieu of second award), Combat Action Ribbon, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Sergeant Major Alvarez holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Business Management.