Sergeant Major Cortez L. Brown was born in East Saint Louis, Illinois, and enlisted into the Marine Corps on 19 August 1988 from Denver, Colorado. Upon graduation from Lincoln Sr. High School in September 1988, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California, for recruit training. He graduated from MCRD San Diego in December 1988 and reported to the School of Infantry (SOI) at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, California. After completion of the SOI, Private Brown was assigned to Marine Barracks Guam, Marine Security Guard Force Mariana Islands, and became a Marine Security Guard.
In September 1990, LCpl Brown reported for duty with Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), MCB Camp Pendleton, California, as an infantry rifleman. While with 1/9, LCpl Brown deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and participated in Operation FIERY VIGIL as well as Operations DESERT STORM and SHIELD. In September 1992, Corporal Brown was involuntary separated from the Marine Corps as a result of Force Reduction. After being discharged, Cpl Brown joined the active reserve unit 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and was assigned the duty of Scout.
In February 1996, Sgt Brown came back on active duty as a Lance Corporal. After reporting to Meridian, Mississippi, he obtained the new military occupation specialty of Maintenance Administration Specialist. After graduating from Maintenance Administration School, he reported to Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Tustin, California, for duty. He served as a Maintenance Administration Clerk. In November 1996, he was promoted to Corporal. From March 1997 to August 1999, Cpl Brown was part of two six-month UDP’s with HMH-465 to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.
In November 1998, in Okinawa, Japan, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became NCOIC of the Squadron Data Analyst for HMH-465. In 1999, Sgt Brown was assigned the billet of Central Technical Publications Librarian. In September 2000, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In April, 2001, SSgt Brown volunteered for drill instructor duty and attended Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego, California. After graduating Drill Instructor School, SSgt Brown was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, where he completed 10 cycles and held the billets of Senior Drill Instructor and Series Chief Drill Instructor.
In September 2004, after a successful completion of his tour as a drill instructor, SSgt Brown received orders to Marine Aircraft Logistic Squadron-16 at MCAS Miramar, California. Upon arrival, he was re-assigned to HMH-465, MCAS Miramar, California, to assume the duty of Maintenance Administration Chief. During his time with HMH-465, he deployed twice to Iraq. In September 2005, while on deployment in Iraq, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-08, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In January 2008, GySgt Brown was hand selected to become the Marine Aircraft Group-16 Personnel Support Detachment acting First Sergeant. After assuming this position, he deployed for the third time to Al Asad, Iraq.
After returning from Al Asad in March 2009, he was promoted to First Sergeant with an assignment to 23rd Marine Regiment in San Bruno, California. He was assigned as the Site First Sergeant where he performed Inspector and Instructor (I&I) duties for both Headquarters Company and Company E, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. During this period, First Sergeant Brown received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management from Columbia Southern University in 2011. In September 2012, First Sergeant Brown was assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines (5/11), 1st Marine Division, at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, for duties as a Battery First Sergeant for Tango Battery.
In May 2013, First Sergeant Brown was promoted Sergeant Major and was assigned Battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion, 11th Marines (1/11). In December 2015, he was assigned to Recruiting Station (RS) Charleston as the RS Sergeant Major.
In June 2017, Sergeant Major Brown received orders to 6th Marine Corps District (6MCD) to assume all duties and responsibilities as the District Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Brown received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2018. In July 2019, he was slated and transferred to be the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) Sergeant Major. He is married to the former Patricia Sims and has three children Brianna, Kayla, and William.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star.