Sierra Vista High School’s Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AJROTC) is facing the end of an era with the upcoming retirements of Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Brown and Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Chief) Valdez. Both have inspired and left their mark on many students throughout their time at SVHS. CSM Brown has been teaching AJROTC for 13 years (10 at Vista) and has spent 30 years in the United States Army as a tanker. Chief Valdez has been teaching JROTC for 8 years (3 at Vista) and has spent 32 years in the United States Army as a Mechanic. In addition to Sierra Vista High School, CSM Brown taught AJROTC at Mojave High School alongside Chief Crathers, who came with CSM Brown when he moved to Vista. Chief Valdez taught AJROTC at Silverado before coming to Vista.
CSM Brown and Chief Valdez are two of the three AJROTC Instructors at Sierra Vista. CSM Brown is the instructor who has been running the Lion Battalion for the longest (along with Chief Crathers) and is to be credited with the creation and growth of the program. CSM Brown also designed the program to prioritize community service and recognize important people in our school with awards and plaques. Valdez, while not being at Vista for as long a time, has had an impact by reestablishing the marksmanship team. He also established the Silverado AJROTC while there. When CSM Brown looks back on his year of teaching, and what he enjoyed most, he says, “I always enjoy seeing how the Cadets mature through the years. I just had a former Cadet call yesterday, he is in his 6th year in the Army and has his 4th child on the way. One called, and she is in her 10th year in the USMC and is now a Drill Sgt in San Diego. That is rewarding.” Chief Valdez, when asked the same question, said, “I enjoy helping cadets learn and grow with life skills. I want to think I hopefully taught them something that they will use later in life.”
Throughout their time at Vista, both CSM Brown and Chief Valdez have been working with the third AJROTC instructor, Chief Cradlers. When talking about his co-istructors, he explained, “CSM Brown and I were together in the Military for over 4 decades and started at Mojave HS AJROTC in 2012/2013 and transferred from there in 2016 to Sierra Vista HS AJROTC and started this program until his retirement in May 2026. He will truly be missed by all because he truly cared about the Cadets and the program. He worked tirelessly and never let me down or anyone else. The true definition of the NCO Corp we ispirit de corps and selfless service. CSM Brown is the backbone of the Senior Enlisted Corps, and I will miss our early morning conversations.
CW4 Valdez and I were in the Military together for over 3 decades. We helped start the new AJROTC program at Silverado High School in Las Vegas with CW4 Valdez; he was the Senior Army Instructor there. He transitioned from there to the Sierra Vista HS AJROTC program 3 years ago. I will miss his interactions with the Cadets during Uniform Wear and Physical Training. His leadership will be missed by all of us.”
As instructors, CSM Brown and Chief Vadlez have been able to impact their students well beyond graduation. They helped many of their cadets and other students begin their military careers; whether they enlist, attend college, or join the National Guard, CSM Brown and Chief Valdez have helped students navigate early adulthood. Chief Valdez has this to say to anybody who is thinking about joining the military: “[The] advice I would give is study for your ASVAB, a higher score gives you better opportunities with the military. Also, to stay physically and mentally fit. The military needs good people to join.” CSM Brown also said when talking about whether someone wants to become a teacher or a JROTC instructor, “Do it if you truly care about the kids. If you are thinking about it because you have summers off, don’t do it.”
After many decades in the service and more than a decade in education, CSM Brown had this to say about his long-awaited retirement: “I am ready to retire. I wanted to leave while I was still effective in my mind. I realize this is my stop, and it is time to get off the train.” He says once this school year is over, he is going back up to North Dakota to work on his family farm. Chief Valdez, who has also spent many decades in the service and a little under a decade in education, had this to say about his retirement: “I am very excited and looking forward to retirement. Spending time with family, my wife and I are traveling. Hobbies such as hiking and biking. Working on my classic car, hopefully picking up a couple more of these.” Thank you, CSM Brown and Chief Valdez, for your service to our nation and service to our Vista community. We all wish you the best in your retirement and your lives ahead.
