Sergeant Major Cortez L. Brown is a native of East Saint Louis, Illinois.  He enlisted into the Marine Corps on 19 August 1988 from Denver, Colorado.  In September 1988, upon graduation from Lincoln Sr. High School, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California.  He graduated from MCRD San Diego in December 1988 as a Private (PVT) and reported to the School of Infantry (SOI) at Camp Pendleton, California.  After completion of the School of Infantry, Private Brown was assigned to Marine Barrack Guam, Marine Security Guard Force (MSGF) Marinna Inlands, and became a Marine Security Guard. During his 18 month tour he excelled as a Marine Security Guard and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal (LCpl). During his Marine Security Guard tour he held the key positions Corporal and Sergeant of the Guard. 

In September 1990, Lance Corporal Brown reported for duty with 1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9), Camp Pendleton, California with Charlie Company as an Infantry Riflemen. While with 1/9, Lance Corporal Brown deployed on the 15 Marines Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and participated in Operation Fiery Vigil as well as Operation Desert Storm/Shield. 

In September 1992, as a newly promoted Corporal, he was involuntary separated from the Marine Corps as a result of Marine Corps forces reduction.  After being discharged from active duty Cpl Brown joined the active reserve unit 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and was assigned the duty of Scout. 

In February 1996, Sergeant Brown was afforded the opportunity to come back on active duty as a Lance Corporal. After reporting to Meridian, Mississippi, he obtained the new Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) of Maintenance Administration Specialist. After graduation from Maintenance Administration School, he reported to Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron-465, MCAS Tustin, California for duty. He served as a Maintenance Administration Clerk. 

In November 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. From March 1997 to August 1999, Cpl Brown was part of two six month Unit Deployment Plans with Heavy Marine Helicopter Sqaudron-465 to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. 

In November 1998, while on deployment 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 (CTPL). 

In September 2000 he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

In April, 2001, Staff Sergeant Brown volunteered for Drill Instructor Duty and attended Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. After Drill Instructor School graduation, SSgt Brown was assigned to 3rd Battalion Kilo Company where he did 10 cycles and held the billets of Senior Drill Instructor and Series Chief Drill Instructor. 

In September 2004, after 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 Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron-465, MCAS Miramar, California to assume the duty of Maintenance Administration Chief. During his time with HMH-465, he participated in two unit deployments to Iraq. 

In September 2005, while on his second deployment in Iraq, OIF 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.

In March 2009, after returning from Al Asad, Iraq, he was promoted to his current rank of First Sergeant with an assignment to 23rd Marines Regiment in San Bruno, California.

Assigned as the Site First Sergeant where he performed Instructor and Instructor (I&I) duties for both the Headquarters and Echo Company 2nd Battalion 23D Marines. Doing this period First Sergeant Brown received his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration/Management from Columbia Southern University in 2011. First Sergeant Brown remained at this command until August 2012. 

In September 2012, First Sergeant Brown received orders to 5th Battalion 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton California for duties as a Battery First Sergeant for Tango Battery. 

In May 2013, was promoted the rank of Sergeant Major and received orders to become the Battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion 11TH Marines which is now his current duty station.  

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star,  Joint Meritorious Unit award with bronze oak leaf, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 1 silver stars, Selected Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze star, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 silver star, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.