Hector L Torres Jr. currently serves as California's Combat Testing Games Chairperson and Sergeant at Arms for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He honorably served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1996, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines. He deployed with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield—earning his eligibility for VFW membership. Later in 2001, he was recalled back to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After Operation Desert Storm/ Desert Shield he participated in Operation Sea Angel, a humanitarian aid, providing support to the people of Bangladesh, India after it was hit by a Cyclone that devastated the area resulting in many deaths and over a billion dollars in damage.