Major Marcelino M. Figueroa enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 2004. Upon graduating as the Platoon Honorman from Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he attended Marine Combat Training Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California and Marine Corps Communications School in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. In January 2005 Major Figueroa reported to the 3d Civil Affairs Group (CAG) at Camp Pendleton, California to assume his duties as a Field Radio Operator. In March 2006 Major Figueroa deployed to Hit, Iraq as part of a Civil Affairs team attached to the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion 36th Infantry
Regiment.
In July of 2007 Major Figueroa was accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon successful completion of the program, Major Figueroa earned an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned in 2012 with a Bachelor's of Science in Economics. Upon completion of the Basic Officer's Course and Infantry Officer's Course in Quantico, Virginia, Major Figueroa was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 3D Marines as a Rifle Platoon Commander at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
In June 2014 Major Figueroa deployed on his first Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Okinawa, Japan. There, he led his platoon in Joint Exercise Valiant Shield and Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP). After returning from Okinawa, Japan in December 2014, Major Figueroa was selected to serve as the Weapons Company Executive Officer. In December 2015 Major Figueroa deployed on his 2nd UDP to Okinawa where he conducted Bilateral Exercise 1-17 and worked closely with Philippine Marines in the instruction and application of fire support assets. In March 2016 Major Figueroa participated in Exercise Ssang Yong where had the
opportunity to partner with Korean Marine Corps units.
After serving in the infantry Major Figueroa volunteered for assignment as an Expeditionary Ground Reconnaissance Officer and reported to the Basic Reconnaissance Course in November 2016 and graduated in March of 2017. In July of 2017 Major Figueroa reported to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer and Reconnaissance Platoon Commander. From December 2019 to July 2020, Major Figueroa deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to European Command and Central Command where his company served as the
Maritime Raid Force. There he conducted Expeditionary Advance Base Operations in the Persian Gulf, conducted bilateral training with Saudi Special Forces, and served as the commander for the Quick Reaction Force in support of talks involving the U.S. Ambassador, Africa Command Commanding General, and the Libyan Prime Minister in Libya.
In December 2020, Major Figueroa transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve where he served as the Executive Officer and is currently assigned as the Commanding Officer for Company B, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in Smyrna, Georgia. Major Figueroa is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Course, Fire Support Coordination Course, Winter Mountain Leader Course, Basic Reconnaissance Course, Survival Evasion and Resistance Level C, U.S. Army Basic Airborne, Multi-Mission Parachute Course, Marine Combatant Diver, Special Operations Integrate Survey Program, Expeditionary Operations Training Group Urban Surveillance Course, and Gryphon Group Surveillance Vehicle Operator Course.
Major Figueroa's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, (2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and Combat Action Ribbon.