Salvador A. Cota Jr. currently serves as State Inspector for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California, after being appointed by Department Commander Paula Jansen at the 106th VFWCA Convention. He also currently serves as VFW CA District 6 Quartermaster, Quartermaster of VFW Post 10965 in Paso Robles, California, and as a member of the National Legislative Team representing VFWCA.

 

Salvador served in the United States Army from 2002 to 2015, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served as a Satellite Communications Operator/Maintainer and Satellite Network Coordinator. His assignments included Camp Roberts, California; Camp Carroll, South Korea; Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Wahiawa Annex, Hawaii; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He earned his eligibility for the VFW through his service in South Korea and receipt of the Korea Defense Service Medal.

 

He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2015 at VFW Post 10965 in Paso Robles, California, where he is a Gold Legacy Life Member. Since joining the VFW, Salvador has served as Post Junior Vice Commander from 2015 to 2016, Post Commander from 2016 to 2024, District 6 Senior Vice Commander from 2022 to 2024, and District 6 Commander from 2024 to 2025. As District 6 Commander, he led the District to both All-State and All-American status. He also served as National Aide-De-Camp from 2022 to 2023.

 

Since 2015, Salvador has worked for the Department of the Army as a Telecommunications Specialist and has served as a Telecommunications Supervisor since 2018.

 

His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Basic Air Force Space and Missile Badge, USAF Basic Space Badge, and USAF Senior Space Badge. His civilian awards include the Civilian Service Achievement Medal, Patriotic Public Service Lapel Pin, and Certificate of Achievement.

 

A first-generation American, Salvador resides in Paso Robles, California. He has served on the board of Almond Acres Charter Academy since 2018 and as Board Vice President since 2020. He is also a PUFL member of the American Legion and the Channel Islands chapter of American Mensa.