She attended a community college, however, she decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps to help her family economically and when she was 17, she convinced her mother to co-sign her enlistment papers.

[1] Valdez, received her basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.

After she graduated from her recruit training, she was sent to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where she became a communications specialist.

[1] Valdez was assigned to the Counter Improvised Explosive Device Working Group of the 2nd Marine Division.

During the ceremony Colonel John A. Del Colliano, the division chief for network plans and policy for Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Headquarters Marine Corps, stated: Her legacy will live on here for years to come ...