Colonel Richard “RAKE” Alvarez began his active service in 1991 upon reporting to MCRD, San Diego for recruit training. He later graduated from Texas A&M University and was commissioned in December of 1999. Upon completion of The Basic School, he attended flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator.
First Lieutenant Alvarez completed initial training in the CH-46E and was assigned to HMM-266, the “Fighting Griffins” at, MCAS New River. He deployed from 2003 to 2004 to Afghanistan with the 22d MEU in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Captain Alvarez then deployed from 2005 to 2006 to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 04-06.2. In 2006, after returning from deployment, Capt Alvarez was assigned as the Airfield Operations Company Commander for MWSS-272 aboard MCAS New River.
In 2007, Captain Alvarez transferred to MAG-36 in Okinawa Japan, where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer for MAG-36 before being assigned to HMM-265, the “Dragons”. From 2007 to 2010, he deployed with both MAG 36 and the 31st MEU in support of multiple exercises and HA/DR operations within the INDOPACOM AOR. He served as a Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Director of Safety and Standardization, and Future Operations Officer.
In 2010, Major Alvarez was invited to join the instructor staff at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1(MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona. He served during the final years of the CH-46E, assisting the community transition to the MV-22 Osprey. Major Alvarez was selected to transition to the MV-22B and transferred to MAG-16, MCAS Miramar in July of 2012. He had the opportunity to serve with VMM-363, VMM-166, and VMM-268. Major Alvarez deployed with VMM-166(Rein) and the 13th MEU as part of the first west coast MEU to deploy with MV-22s. After an extended deployment from 2013 to 2014, he joined the Red Dragons of VMM-268 to assume duties as the Executive Officer and prepare the squadron for deployment. Maj Alvarez deployed as the squadron Operations Officer from 2015 to 2016 to Al Jaber, Kuwait as part of SPMAGTF-CR-CC in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
Lieutenant Colonel Alvarez transferred to the 15th MEU in July of 2016 where he served as the MEU Executive Officer. From 2017 to 2018, he deployed to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet AORs. He returned in February of 2018 and executed orders to MCB Hawaii and assumed command of the “Red Dragons” of VMM-268 in April of 2018. Lieutenant Colonel Alvarez immediately deployed the squadron to Marine Rotational Forces, Darwin. The squadron later conducted Operations in South Korea, Okinawa, and the Philippines while capitalizing on the long range capabilities of the MV-22 during multiple Trans-Pacific flights. He continued to train the squadron, expand Aviation Combat Element capabilities, and maintain a high state of readiness in preparation for additional operational deployments. He relinquished command in December of 2021 and transferred to Marine Forces Cyber Command and was assigned to the J5 of Cyber Command’s JTF ARES as a Cyber Operations Planner. He would then attend The College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University and graduate in June of 2022.
Colonel Alvarez reported to U.S. Space Command in July of 2022 where he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff. He completed his joint tour in June of 2025 and executed orders to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA for duty.