Chief Petty Officer Kevin Valdez was born 6 July 1976 in Seattle, Washington. He lived and attended Public School in Vancouver, B.C., Canada until the age of seventeen. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 15 February 1995 and is currently assigned to United States Southern Command.

After completion of Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in May of 1995, Chief Valdez went to Meridian, Mississippi for Yeoman "A" School. From there he was assigned to Naval Reserve Center, Syracuse, New York.

In July 1998, he reported to Navy Air Reserve, Point Mugu, California. He became heavily involved in Campaign Drug Free eventually becoming the Assistant Program Coordinator. Additionally, he created and was elected president of the Blue Jackets Association, which for over a decade promoted morale amongst junior Sailors.

Valdez transferred to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), San Diego, January 2001, there he served as the Reserve Program Coordinator and was selected as the 2002 Sailor of the Year.

After completing a successful tour at SPAWAR he transferred to USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37), serving as the Ship's Secretary. During this tour he was selected and promoted to Chief Petty Officer. He deployed twice, including SEACAT/CARAT 2006.

He reported for his first joint assignment at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida in 2006. During this tour, Valdez was hired by Admiral James Stavridis to serve as his Flag Writer and Special Assistant, and continued on in that role at U.S. European Command and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe until July 2013.

Valdez currently serves in the Secretary Joint Staff and occasionally acts as the Executive Officer to the 2-Star Chief of Staff.

His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), numerous unit commendations, campaign medals, and service awards.