Captain Melendez is a native of Los Angeles, California. He was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps following graduation from Officer Candidate School in November 2019.
Following initial training at The Basic School and Engineer Officer Course, Captain Melendez was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-373 in Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in November 2020. While there, he served as a Combat Engineer Platoon Commander, Engineer Platoon Commander, and Engineer Company Executive Officer. During his time with MWSS-373, Captain Melendez participated in the Catalina Road Repair project in 2021, VMGR-352 C-130 Memorial Project, and supported Weapons and Tactics Instruction 1-22. He deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit from November 2022 to July 2023 and was attached to the Command Element where he served as the Headquarters Company Executive Officer for the conduct of WestPac 23.1. After a successful deployment he returned to MWSS-373 where in August of 2023, Captain Melendez deployed with the unit to MCAGCC Twenty Nine Palms in the conduct of Service Level Training Exercise 5-23, and continued to serve with the unit until his end of active service in 18 November, 2023. In June of 2024, Captain Melendez entered the Selected Reserves as a Company Executive Officer in Delta Company, 4th CEB.
On 2 November 2025, Captain Melendez took command of Charlie Company in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Captain Melendez's professional military education includes US Army Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Level II, Engineer Officer Course, and the Basic School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Minor in Russian Language from California State University Northridge.
Captain Melendez's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.