Alvarez proud of service as U.S. Marine

MADISON – For Sergeant Peter Alvarez, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps was an honor.

“The Marines are largely responsible for shaping me into the person I am today,” Alvarez said. “I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve my country and am thankful for those that served before me, are serving today and plan to serve in the future.”

At 17 years old, he headed to Parris Island, S.C. for basic training. Alvarez then completed Marine Combat Training in Camp Geiger, N.C.

He attended Military Operational Specialty (MOS) School in Camp Lejeune, N.C. for Supply Administration and Operations. His first duty station was Kaneohe Bay at Oahu, Hawaii. He served with 1st Battalion (infantry), 3rd Marines as battalion fiscal clerk for Headquarters and Service Platoon.

“While in Hawaii, we completed a six-month rotation to Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan. I traveled to Samae San Camp in Thailand to provide logistical support for Cobra Gold 95, a joint training exercise between U.S. and Thai Marines,” Alvarez said.

Back in Okinawa, Alvarez competed in Far East Division matches for rifle/pistol marksmanship. He returned to Hawaii and finished second MOS as

Primary Marksmanship Instructor and then trained Marines to re-qualify for the rifle/pistol range.

He then received orders for third MOS at Marine Security Guard School in Quantico, Va. The last three years, he guarded the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad/Tobago and Jakarta, Indonesia. He completed his tour of duty in July 1998 at rank of E5 or Sergeant.

Originally from Weehawken, N.J., he met future wife Erika Alvarez of West New York, N.J. when she was at Pennsylvania State University. Erika has worked as an aerospace engineer at NASA since 2003. “We have a very energetic three-year-old Peter (P.J.) and a less energetic 11-year-old English bulldog, Sophie,” he said.

After Marine service, he attended Seton Hall University and later earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He has worked for Redstone Federal Credit Union since 2005 and now is Assistant Vice President, Business Development.

With Rotary Club of Madison for seven years, he has served as board member and community service chair. Alvarez is board president for Crisis Services of North Alabama after serving as HELPline volunteer. He has volunteered with United Way.

“I’m an ocean lover — everything from surfing, scuba diving, boogie boarding to just lying under the sun and spending time with my family,” Alvarez said.