Joseph Alvarez enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California in May 1999. Upon graduating he attended the School of Infantry and was assigned the MOS of 0311, Infantry Rifleman.
In August of 1999, LCpl Alvarez reported to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA for duty as an Infantryman. Upon discovery by the Battalion's Sniper Platoon, LCpl Alvarez was screened and selected to join the highly skilled platoon, where he would acquire the MOS of 8541, later changed to 0317. During this time, he deployed twice with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit-Special Operations Capable (MEU-SOC) out of Okinawa, Japan.
In November of 2004, Sgt Alvarez was assigned to 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, where he served as a Battalion Scout Sniper. Sgt Alvarez deployed to Iraq two separate times during Operation Iraqi Freedom to Fallujah, Hit, and the Syrian border in the Al-Anbar Province, in support of Operation Bright Star and Operation Steel Curtain.
Sgt Alvarez volunteered for Drill Instructor Duty in January 2008 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California where he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and later meritoriously to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. His responsibilities included Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Instructor for the water survival section as a Marine Combat Instructor Trainer of Water Survival (MCITWS). He, along with four other subject matter experts, revamped the Marine Corp's water survival program.
After a successful tour at MCRD San Diego, GySgt Alvarez checked into 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as an Infantry Platoon Commander with Company B and deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to South West Asia.
On 1 August 2014, First Sergeant Alvarez was assigned as the Inspector and Instructor First Sergeant in Vienna, Ohio Detachment 3, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453, where he transformed a Landing Support Battalion into a Motor Transportation Detachment through the guidance set forth by Marine Forces Reserve Force Structure Review Group.
In August of 2017, First Sergeant Alvarez returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as Company M First Sergeant. Under his supervision, Company M was tasked with the execution of a four phase training matrix for Recruit Training. He was to supervise, revise, and report to Recruit Training Regiment after actions to allow follow-on Companies to execute more refined Periods of Instruction.
In July of 2020, Sergeant Major Alvarez was assigned as the Marine Air Control Squadron 4 Sergeant Major, where he was charged with implementing future force design changes, including squadron growth to six from four Companies, providing IIIMEF unique capabilities throughout the INDOPACOM AOR for exercises and contingency operations.
In June of 2022, Sergeant Major Alvarez was assigned to HMLA-169, MAG-39, 3MAW. While assigned to HMLA-169 He conducted multiple Deployments For Training (DFTs), as well as the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) 23.2, from April 2023 to November 2023, in support of five bilateral exercises supporting the INDOPACOM area of operations.
Sergeant Major Alvarez was assigned to his current post at MACG-38 February 01.
Sergeant Major Alvarez's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" distinguishing device and gold star, Army Achievement Medal, and various other service and campaign medals.