Instructors

Chief Marquez was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, moved at an early age, and raised in El Paso, Tx.  He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1978 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy with the All El Paso Boot Camp Company.

After boot camp, his first assignment was at the Naval Air Station Meridian, MS. YN “A” school.  Upon completion of “A” school, his first shipboard duty was the: USS William H. Standley (CG-32).  After spending so much time at sea, he wrote many letters to the detailers in Washington expressing his desire to go to the aviation side of the Navy and was surprisingly assigned to The White Lightning of Patrol Squadron 17 (VP 17) out of Naval Air Station Barbers Point, HI.

Summer of 1984, his next assignment would be a different type of duty but one that was unforgettable, he was assigned to Navy Recruiting, Los Angeles, CA.  It was a great time to be in Los Angeles since it was the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, officially known as the 1984 Summer Olympics.

The journey continued, now with World Famous Screwbirds of Anti-submarine squadron, 33 (VS -33) which provided Chief with his second around the world cruise.  Life submerged for months at a time is an interesting phenomenon among sailors and port visits or done on short notice. 

The next assignment was to Naval Air Station, Beeville, TX.  July 1991 NAS Beeville was placed on the decommissioning list and as the Command Career Counselor for the base, Chief transferred or helped in the retirement of all enlisted personnel assigned to the base, base closure was in May 1992.

The pre-commissioning unit of the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) was next.  Now assigned to help man the Navy’s first Arleigh Burke destroyer in the Pacific fleet.  A very challenging and rewarding tour.

His final assignment was recruiting this time in El Paso, TX.  The most fun anyone could have had.  Received many recruiting accolades and was attached with the Navy Blue Angels in a recruiting effort.  What a ride.

Chief Marquez's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit citations and campaign medals.

Chief Marquez retired from active duty in October 1999 after 22 years of naval service.  As a Naval Science Instructor, he commissioned the San Benito H.S. Navy JROTC program in 2000, and in 2003 he commissioned the Los Fresnos H.S. Navy JROTC program.  From its commissioning, Los Fresnos has enjoyed success unparalleled in the Rio Grande Valley and has remained one of the top Units in the United States.

Chief Marquez is married to Mrs. Lourdes Marquez; he has two children Anthony and Veronica.  Life is good.