COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF
MKCS Mark Perez
Senior Chief Mark A. Perez reported to United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett July of 2023 as the Main Propulsion Division Chief.
Senior Chief Perez is originally from Anthony, New Mexico, which is approximately 20 miles north of El Paso, Texas. He was born to Renee Perez and has one older brother, Michael Perez. He made the decision to join the United States Coast Guard in 2005 at the age of 20. Shortly after boot camp, Senior Chief Perez attended MK A-School and was assigned to the Sector Honolulu Engineering Department from 2005 to 2009. During his time there, he advanced to E-5 and transferred to USCGC Douglas Munro in Kodiak, Alaska, where he served from 2009 to 2012. After sailing the dangerous waters of the Bering Sea for three years, he then transferred to USCGC Petrel in San Diego, California, from 2012 to 2014. There he served as a boarding officer and assisted in numerous drug busts. He also achieved the rank of E-6 and eventually took over as the EPO. From 2014 to 2018, Senior Chief Perez was stationed at ATO Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, where he performed numerous cutter inspections and provided training to the Atlantic area fleet. At that time, Senior Chief Perez decided to try his luck in the searing heat of the Middle East from November 2018 to November 2019, as a Cutter boat manager for PATFORSAW in Manama, Bahrain. He provided support for 110s in Muscat, Oman, also Camp Patriot on Kuwait Naval Base, and Dubai Naval Station. From there, he went on to ATO San Diego from January 2019 to June 2020, and it was during this time that he advanced to E-7 and reported to the CGC Valiant. Three years later, he advanced to E-8 and reported to the CGC Midgett..
Senior Chief Perez received numerous awards, including: seven Achievement Medals, two Unit Commendation Awards, two Meritorious Unit Commendation Awards, three Meritorious Team Commendation Awards, two Letter of Commendation Awards, four Good Conduct Medals, a Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, a Restricted Duty Ribbon, a Special Ops Service Ribbon, and, of course, a Sea Service Ribbon. Senior Chief Perez will complete 13 years of Sea Time at the end of April 2024.
Work has always been an important aspect of Senior Chief Perez’s life, but family is the most important; without them, he would not be where he is today.