Sergeant Major Alvarez is a native of Tacoma, WA. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1996 and attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon completion of Recruit training he was assigned to the School of Infantry where he achieved the MOS of 0311, Basic Infantryman. 

In April 1997 Sergeant Major Alvarez received orders to Echo Company 2nd Battalion 6th Marines for duty as a Rifleman. Sergeant Major Alvarez deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the UDP in which the unit completed operations in South Korea. Sergeant Major Alvarez was meritoriously promoted to Cpl and Sgt. Sergeant Major Alvarez deployed with the 24th MEU as a squad leader in which the unit participated in operations in Italy, Greece, Kosovo, Croatia and Spain. Sergeant Major Alvarez left the Marine Corps and attained his A. A. degree in Criminal Justice from DeAnza College.

In December 2001 Sergeant Major Alvarez reentered the Marine Corps and received orders to the Third Battalion, First Marines, Company K for duty as a Squad Leader. Sergeant Major Alvarez completed one deployment consisting of operations in Djoubiti, Seychelles, and Kuwait. Sergeant Major Alvarez was promoted meritoriously to Sgt again. Sergeant Major Alvarez then participated in OIF I as part of RCT 1. Upon returning from OIF I, Sergeant Major Alvarez received orders to Drill Instructor School Class 1-04 in October 2003.

Upon completion of the Drill Instructors school, Sergeant Major Alvarez was assigned to Mike Company, Third Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. His assignments included Drill Instructor, Swim Instructor, and Senior Drill Instructor during his tour of duty with Mike Company. Sergeant Major Alvarez was promoted meritoriously to the rank of SSgt. In 2006, Sergeant Major Alvarez completed his Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at National University. In January 2007, upon completion of Drill Instructor duty he received orders to First Battalion, Ninth Marines Company B for duty as a Platoon Sergeant.

In March of 2008 Sergeant Major Alvarez was transferred and assigned duty as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for First Battalion, Ninth Marines Company A. Sergeant Major Alvarez was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. He then participated in OIF 8 as Company Gunnery Sergeant for Alpha Company. Sergeant Major Alvarez reported to the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy as a student for the Advanced Course Class 2-09 and graduated in February 2009. Sergeant Major Alvarez then reported to the Martial Arts Instructor Course as a student in March 2009 and graduated as a Brown belt instructor in April of 2009.

In May of 2009 Sergeant Major Alvarez was transferred and assigned duty as Sergeant Instructor for Officer Candidate School. In August of 2009 he reported for duty as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at Texas A&M University during which time he completed his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from National University. In September of 2012 Sergeant Major Alvarez was promoted to First Sergeant and transferred to 3rd Bn. 1st Marines for duty as Company First Sergeant. In June of 2016 Sergeant Major Alvarez reported for duty as a student at USASMA. In June of 2017 was transferred and assigned duties as Recruiting Station Chicago Sergeant Major. In July of 2020, Sergeant Major Alvarez was transferred to the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and served as Faculty Advisor.  In July of 2022, Sergeant Major Alvarez was transferred to MATSG-21 and served as the Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Alvarez's personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold stars in lieu of fifth award to include a Valor device.