Lieutenant Colonel Perez enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1997. He graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as the company honor man and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. After completing Marine Combat Training, he reported to his military occupational school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, graduating as an Airframe Mechanic and subsequently completing his “C” school at Cecil Field, Florida.
In October 1998, Lance Corporal Perez reported to his first permanent duty station, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 29 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River. While attached to MALS-29, he earned multiple qualifications, including Collateral Duty Inspector, Quality Assurance Representative, aircraft welder, aircraft painter, and Non-Destructive Technician. He deployed multiple times in support of Deployment For Tasking (DFT) exercises, including the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Combined Arms Exercise, and Enhanced Mojave Viper. Between August 2002 and May 2003, Sergeant Perez deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. During this deployment, the 24th MEU also participated in Operation Dynamic Response in Kosovo and Joint Task Force Djibouti in Africa. In February 2006, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In June 2006, he graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management.
Staff Sergeant Perez was selected to receive his commission through the Meritorious Commissioning Program; however, he entered Officer Candidate School (OCS) via the Enlisted Commissioning Program since he completed his degree prior to reporting to OCS. Second Lieutenant Perez earned his commission in August 2006 and received a Special Achievement Award for graduating in the top 10% of his OCS Company. He subsequently reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation in March 2007, he proceeded to Naval Air Station (NAS) Milton, Florida, to attend Aircraft Maintenance Officer School.
In June 2007, Second Lieutenant Perez was assigned to MALS-14 at MCAS Cherry Point, where he served as the Aviation Life Support System (ALSS) and Individual Material Readiness List (IMRL) Division Officer. After serving eight months at MALS-14, he was selected to serve on a Military Transition Team (MTT) Individual Augment billet and reported to II Marine Expeditionary Force, II Marine Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, to begin training in April 2008. Between July 2008 and July 2009, First Lieutenant Perez deployed to Iraq with MTT 2nd Battalion, 29th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division. Following this deployment, he returned to his duties as ALSS and IMRL Division Officer at MALS-14.
In March 2010, he was assigned as the Maintenance Material Control Officer of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223. He was also promoted to Captain in November 2010. During this tour, VMA-223 won the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award two years in a row and Marine Attack Squadron of the Year, exceeding 60,000 hours of mishap-free operations. After multiple DFTs, he deployed with the squadron in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Kandahar, Afghanistan, from October 2011 to May 2012.
In July 2012, Captain Perez reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, where he served as the Executive Officer of Aviation Maintenance Squadron 2. In July 2015, Captain Perez reported to MCB Quantico, Virginia, to attend Expeditionary Warfare School. After completing the resident school, Captain Perez reported for duty to MALS-12 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, to serve as the Operations Officer. In September 2016, he was promoted to Major. During this tour, MALS-12 won the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year. In June 2018, Major Perez reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, where he was assigned as the Aviation Ground Field Grade Monitor.
In July 2021, Major Perez reported to Commander Fleet Air, Western Pacific, at Atsugi, Japan, as the Marine Liaison Officer before selection to take Command of MALS-12. In July 2022, Major Perez was meritoriously reordered and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel Perez holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. He is also a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School (resident and non-resident courses), Marine Corps Command and Staff College (non-resident course), and Air War College (non-resident course).
Lieutenant Colonel Perez’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fifth award), and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as several other campaign and service awards.
Lieutenant Colonel Perez is the proud father of a daughter, Gabriella Renee Perez (26), and proud Marine dad of Sergeant Freddie Perez, Jr. (24).