Biography

1stSgt Velarde is originally from Los Angeles, California where he graduated from Baldwin Park High School in 1996. He then enlisted into the Marine Corps in April 1997 and attended recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA in April 1997. There he graduated as Platoon Honorman and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class. Upon graduation from recruit training, he attended School of Infantry (SOI), Camp Pendleton, CA obtaining the MOS 0311.

1stSgt Velarde than reported to his first duty station with 1st Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company (FAST) in Norfolk, VA from December 1997 to August 1999. There he deployed to Bahrain participating in Operation Southern Watch and conducted multiple Re-Fuel/De-Fuel security missions to Pudget Sound, WA. As a young Marine with 1st FAST he served in billets as a rifleman, fire team leader, and squad leader. There he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In August 1999 he was then assigned to Marine Corps Security Force (MCSF) School in Chesapeake, Va. where he served as a Physical Security and Tactics Instructor and Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor.

1stSgt Velarde than received orders to Camp Pendleton, CA. where he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines from June 2000 to December 2000. Here he only served for a short period since he then received orders to Recruiting Duty. Though it was a short tour he did serve with the Battalion’s Scout Sniper Platoon prior to his departure.

Before reporting to Recruiters School, 1stSgt Velarde received Permanent Change of Assignment (PCA) orders to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division from December 2000 to September 2001, where he served with the Operations/Training and Logistics sections, and prepared for Independent Duty. Here he was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

From September 2001 to November 2004, 1stSgt Velarde had a successful tour on Recruiting duty with Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Pomona, Recruiting Station (RS) Orange located in Los Angeles County.

Upon 1stSgt Velarde’ s successful tour on Recruiting Duty, he received orders to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, Camp Pendleton Ca. where he was stationed from November 2004 to May 2008. His first assignment was with Golf Company serving in billets of Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant while deploying with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and participated in Operation Steel Curtain in Iraq and Operation Bright Star in Egypt. He was than promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in December 2005. During this tour he was also assigned to Weapons Company and served as Scout Sniper Platoon Sergeant and 81mm section leader where he deployed again with the Battalion on the 31st MEU.

In May of 2008, 1stSgt Velarde joined Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines for Inspector-Instructor duty in Houston, TX. During his tour here, 1stSgt Velarde served as the Operations Chief/Training chief and Company GySgt for H&S Company. In February 2009 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

1stSgt Velarde received orders back to Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was assigned to Fox Company, 2 nd Battalion, 5th Marines from July 2010 to January 2013. Here, he served as Weapons Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant. 1stSgt Velarde deployed twice with the Battalion, the 1st on the 31st MEU which he participated in Operation Tomodachi, and the 2nd to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 12.1 and 12.2. He was then selected to the rank of 1stSgt in December 2012.

In January 2013, 1stSgt Velarde reported to 1st Civil Affairs Group (CAG), Camp Pendleton, CA to serve as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant.

In January 2015, 1stSgt Velarde then reported to Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan to serve as Headquarters Company First Sergeant. He then Retired from the Marine Corps on 31 July 2017.

In August 2017, 1stSgt Velarde was hired as a Naval Science Instructor at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, Ca.

In July 2020, 1stSgt Velarde started his current position as a Naval Science Instructor at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, Ca.

1stSgt Velarde’s personal awards include the Bronze Star w/ Combat Distinguishing Device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 star in lieu of 2nd award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 star in lieu of 2nd award, the Combat Action Ribbon with 1 star in lieu of 2nd award, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various unit awards.

In 2001 1stSgt Velarde was selected to the All-Marine Baseball team and participated in the 2001 Navy vs Marines game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. In 2004 he was selected to the All-Marine Softball team and participated in the 2004 Armed Forces Softball Championship at Elglin AFB, Florida. In August 2014 he was selected again to the All-Marine Softball team and participated in the 2014 Armed Forces Softball Championship at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

1stSgt Velarde is married to the former Evelyn Escobedo and they have three daughters, Destiny (25), Amaya (23), and Deanna (18).