Sergeant Major Valdez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and commenced recruit training with November Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in December 2000.  After completing MCT and MOS training as a Ground Supply Administrator, she was promoted to Lance Corporal.

Lance Corporal Valdez reported to MAG-39, Marine Corps Property, Camp Pendleton, California.  While at MAG-39, she held the billets of Fiscal Clerk and Fiscal Chief.  In February 2003, she was promoted to Corporal and deployed to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 2004.

In November 2004, she was transferred to 9th ESB, detachment Pohang, South Korea where she served as Supply Chief, and was the recipient of the Korean-American Friendship Society Award for 2005.

In November 2005, she transferred to the Supply Management Unit, Supply Company, 1st Supply Battalion, CLR-15 and served as the Customer Service NCOIC and Fiscal Chief.  In August 2006 and again in February 2008, she deployed to Al Taqqadum, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  She was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in February of 2008.

In December 2008, Staff Sergeant Valdez reported to the Inspector-Instructor Staff, Peru, Indiana and served as Detachment I Communication Company Supply Chief.  After a tour at I&I Peru, she then volunteered for Drill Instructor duty at Parris Island, South Carolina.   

In January 2011, Staff Sergeant Valdez reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor School, Class 2-11 and graduated March 2011.  In April 2011, she reported to Fourth Recruit Training Battalion where she served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and Protocol SNCOIC for Papa, Oscar, and November Companies.  She was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in October 2012, and successfully completed her tour at Parris Island in May 2014.

In May 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Valdez reported to the 3d MAW, MAG-16, Marine Corps Property where she held the billets of Supply Officer and Supply Chief.

In April 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Valdez reported to MCRD San Diego and completed the Drill Instructor School Priors Course Challenger Class 3-16. She reported to Support Battalion where she served as a Chief Drill Instructor, Company Gunnery Sergeant, and Company First Sergeant for Receiving Company.

In May 2017, she was promoted to First Sergeant and reported to the Inspector-Instructor Staff, 3d Civil Affairs Group, Great Lakes, Illinois where she served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor and First Sergeant until 2019 when she received orders to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific where she served as Command First Sergeant.

In June 2021, Sergeant Major Valdez reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, where she served as Sergeant Major, Second Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.

In May 2023, Sergeant Major Valdez reported to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 where she currently serves as the squadron Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Valdez’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, (three Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award).