Major Christopher R. Recalde entered military service in 2006 as a Midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at Auburn University. During his undergraduate studies, he completed training at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Officer Candidates School, and served as a Range Safety Officer aboard Fort Benning, GA. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2011.
Following graduation from The Basic School, he was assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 (MWHS-1), Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a Supply Officer and Squadron S-4 Officer. During this tour, he participated in numerous Indo-Pacific exercises, including Cobra Gold, Balikatan, and Ulchi Freedom Guardian/Key Resolve, while supporting numerous real world humanitarian events and assisting with procurement for Headquarters, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
As a captain, Major Recalde served as a Project Manager with Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Albany, GA, overseeing management, sustainment and modernization of multiple logistics information systems, including STRATIS, TCPT, and CLC2S. During this assignment, he completed Naval Postgraduate School's; Principles of Systems Acquisition and Program Management course and earned the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Level II Program Management certification.
In 2018, Major Recalde transitioned from active-duty to the Marine Corps Reserve while simultaneously pursuing a civilian career as an Information Technology Program Manager. His first assignment within the Reserve Component was serving as G-3 Deputy Current Operations at Headquarters, 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Orleans, LA. In 2020 he transferred to 3rd Marine Logistics Group Okinawa, JP as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). Due to travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, he courtesy drilled at Combat Logistics Regiment 45 (CLR-45) in Atlanta, GA, for the entire duration of this tour, assisting current and future operations.
In 2022, Major Recalde became an Action Officer for the 4th Marine Logistics Group Logistics Innovation Unit, advising Active and Reserve forces on the application of commercial technologies to military logistics challenges. In 2023, he participated in the activation of Marine Innovation Unit (MIU), Newburgh, NY, serving as a Detachment Lead and overseeing numerous data, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation initiatives supporting the Active Component. In addition, during this tour he completed Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (CSCDEP).
Major Recalde currently serves as the Company Commander for Supply Company, 4th Combat Readiness Regiment, Albany, GA. Supply Company is comprised of (3) geographically dispersed detachments supporting the Marine Corps intermediate supply mission.