Marine Corps Installations West

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Melissa Ugalde, a combat videographer with Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, explains what it was like to receive her diagnosis of Stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma, Dec. 17, 2020, from her home in Oceanside, California. Ugalde recently started chemotherapy treatment to combat her cancer, and decided to proactively shave her head during a video teleconference with her family and friends. While the road ahead of her will be challenging, she is looking forward to beating cancer and continuing her career as a U.S. Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Melissa I. Ugalde)

U.S. Marines and sailors with 1st Network Battalion, Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group, uncase their unit colors during a ceremony on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 20, 2020. 1st Network Bn. is responsible for providing all aspects of security, operations, and protection for the Western region of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network. The unit unveiled its colors, signifying the birth of the newest unit in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Juan A. Soto-Delgado)

U.S. Marines with the Scout Sniper Course, Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, work to conceal themselves during an exercise in the Romeo Training Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 27, 2020. The students were participating in a stalking and infiltration exercise designed to test the concealment skills of the Marines. The objective of the exercise was to infiltrate an area and engage a target without being seen. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez)

U.S. Marines with the Scout Snipers Course, Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, fire M40A6 sniper rifles during a live-fire exercise on Range 223B on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 23, 2020. The range was an unknown distance of fire range, designed to test the skills and strengthen the communication between the marksmen and their observers. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, held a deactivation ceremony at their headquarters in 41 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 18. Alpha Co., along with the rest of 4th Tank Bn., was activated in 1943 during World War II. Since then, the battalion has participated in every war the Marine Corps has fought in. Alpha Co. is the first of 4th Tanks’ six companies to deactivate. The Marine Corps is divesting its tank battalions following the commandant’s guidance in Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon, Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez and Lance Cpl. Melissa Ugalde)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, hold a deactivation ceremony in 41 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 18, 2020. Alpha Co., along with the rest of 4th Tank Bn., was activated in 1943 during World War II. Since then, the battalion has participated in every war the Marine Corps has fought in. Alpha Co. is the first of 4th Tanks’ six companies to deactivate. The Marine Corps is divesting its tank battalions following the commandant’s guidance in Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon and Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez) 0:00-2:42 Buster Riggs (retired Marine officer) 2:43-5:02 Capt. Mark Rothrock (company commander, Alpha Co., 4th Tank Battalion) 5:03-7:17 First Sergeant Adam Casas (company first sergeant, Alpha Co., 4th Tank Battalion) 7:18-10:15 Lt. Colonel Michael O'Quin (commanding officer, 4th Tank Battalion)

U.S. Marines with the Infantry Unit Leader Course, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, fire M224 60 mm mortars, M240B medium machine guns and M2 .50-caliber heavy machine guns during live-fire training on Mortar Position 6 and Range 203 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 30, 2020. Marines with IULC utilized various weapons systems during the training to increase proficiency and readiness. The Marines participating in the course will leave as 0369 infantry unit leaders. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez)

U.S. Marines with the Infantry Unit Leader Course, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, fire M252 81mm mortar systems aboardMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 25, 2020. The Infantry Unit Leader Course trains Marines to serve platoon sergeants for the various types of small units they may lead while serving with an infantry battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez)

U.S. Marines with Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, fire MK19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers and M2 .50-caliber heavy machine guns at Range 203 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8, 2020. These Marines from Delta Co. are training to master these weapon systems. ITB trains, develops and certifies Marines as riflemen, as well as their primary military occupational specialty within the infantry field, before sending them to join the Fleet Marine Force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry West, conduct an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle familiarization range at Range 215A on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 5, 2020. ITB trains, develops and certifies Marines as riflemen, as well as their primary military occupational specialty within the infantry field, before sending them to join the Fleet Marine Force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon)

Students with Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, perform a live-fire fire team rush training evolution at Range 215A on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 21, 2020. The training taught the Marines to use communication while closing with and engaging the enemy. The mission of ITB is to train Marines in basic infantry skills before integration into the operational forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, conduct an M240B medium machine gun live-fire range during the Infantry Machine Gunner’s course at Range 218A on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 26, 2020. ITB trains, develops and certifies Marines as riflemen, as well as their primary military occupational specialty within the infantry field, before sending them to join the Fleet Marine Force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon)

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West, conduct buddy rushes during the last live-fire range of the Rifleman Course at Range 208C on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 22, 2020. ITB trains, develops and certifies Marines as riflemen, as well as their primary military occupational specialty within the infantry field, before sending them to join the Fleet Marine Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Lance Cpl. Anthony Alvarez)