Two Careers, One Family: Arizona Couple Promote Together to Sergeant Major

PHOENIX – Arizona Army National guard husband and wife, Max Flores and Christina Garcia-Flores reached a milestone together on September 16, 2026, pinning on the rank of Sergeant Major (SGM) during a joint ceremony at Papago Park Military Reservation in Phoenix.

Their promotion is more than a career achievement. It represents the years of shared service, sacrifice, leadership and commitment.

“Christina has been a consistent and reliable source of encouragement throughout my career from the day we met,” Flores said. “We regularly share ideas, refine solutions, and help each other navigate the complexities of our roles.”

While most soldiers experience their career milestones with support from the sidelines, Flores and Garcia-Flores had the unique experience of growing as leaders alongside one another. Their partner is someone who can understand the demands of military duty and leadership from firsthand experience and provide a second perspective on the challenges and decisions they face.

“Max sees situations from angles I may not consider, and that has made me a more thoughtful and balanced leader,” Garcia-Flores said. “Having a partner who understands the demands, stress, and pace of military life have helped me grow personally and professionally.”

Flores and Garcia-Flores balance their service and marriage through communication, teamwork, and shared effort. “He never lets me give up, and that mutual support is what keeps our marriage strong and our careers sustainable,” Garcia-Flores said.

Flores echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how their dual-military journey reinforces their mission. "Our ability to challenge each other, support one another, and stay aligned in our shared commitment to serving soldiers has strengthened not only our careers but our partnership,” Flores said. “It has been a unique and rewarding experience to grow together professionally while advancing through the Army at the same time.”

Their dedication to mentorship and mutual accountability does not stop at the front door. Colleagues and peers across their careers have felt the impact of their steady, collaborative approach to leadership.

Chaplain Victor Perez has known the couple for almost a decade, a bond forged while preparing for a joint deployment. At the time, Perez was a Second Lieutenant chaplain candidate striving to find his footing and serve his unit effectively. Navigating this learning curve, he leaned heavily on Flores and Garcia-Flores for guidance and direction.

“I remembered someone had told me that as I chaplain, one of the most important things you can do is find a senior NCO or two who know the Soldiers, have the hearts of the Soldiers, so they can help you navigate and build rapport with Soldiers,” Perez said.“Flores and Garcia-Floresflawlessly fulfilled that role for me, helping me know how to understand Soldiers, and how to move among them in a way that connected.”

Perez credited their presence with shaping his own path as an officer and chaplain. “They embodied professionalism and gave me a sense of comfort as I watched them move amongst, and love and care for soldiers,” he added. “They make our organization better, and I am grateful for them both and the ways they have shaped my approach and confidence as a chaplain.”

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are the backbone of the Army, ensuring soldiers are trained, disciplined, and prepared to respond to any mission. Senior NCOs such as Flores and Garcia-Flores are instrumental in leading and shaping NCOs and junior soldiers.

Looking ahead to this next chapter of leadership, Flores and Garcia-Flores hope to strengthen the NCO Corps and build a generation of soldiers who willingly and happily give back to the organization. “If we can help shape leaders who serve with purpose and selflessness, that will be rewarding,” they agreed.

As they take on their new responsibilities, Flores and Garcia-Flores stand as examples of professional excellence and proof that shared dedication can fortify both mission and marriage. Through every deployment, challenge, and milestone, they have walked the path together, strengthening the Arizona Army National Guard, one soldier at a time.

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