Capt Lara was commissioned in 2012 upon graduating California State
University Los Angeles receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics and Statistics. He checked into The Basic School in 2013 and graduated in 2014 upon which he was designated the MOS 1302, Combat Engineer Officer.
Capt Lara's first assignment was with Combat Assault Battalion, 3D Marine Division (MARDIV) where he served as a Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer for Combat Engineer Company and the Operations Training Officer for the Battalion. During this time, he participated in several exercises such as Forest Light ’14, Balikatan 15, several KMEPs, and Task Force Iron Fist. His next operational assignment was in 2021 as a Company Commander for 7th Engineer Support Battalion, I Marine Logistics Group (MLG), where trained and provided forces for Marine Corps Engineer Detachment-Palau and was put in charge of an Engineer Reconnaissance Team in support of Native Fury’22. He was then assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion-13 to serve as one of the first Company Commanders for the new EABO CLB unit construct. Here, he led his company to support the service level exercise Weapons and Tactics Instructor 23.1 which served as a training exercise to facilitate Company and Battalion level integration leading to the deployment Koa Moana 23 in the Southeast Pacific where he led several isolated detachments in directly interfacing and assisting with the local governments and populace. Capt Lara is currently assigned as the Site Commander for Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, Detachment Bravo, located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base located in metro Detroit, Michigan.
Assignments in the Supporting Establishment include serving as a Public Works Officer for Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow from 2018 to 2021, where he learned fundamentals of Facilities maintenance and accountability. Learning operations and intricacies of the inner works of the Regional Installation and Infrastructure Investment Boards. Earning him the AMOS 1330, Facilities Management Officer.
Capt Lara’s first Headquarters and Staff Assignments was in 2017 where he was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division to serve as the Division Engineer Officer, G4. Here he supported several exercises such as a MEFEX and a Division level KMEP and provided invaluable insight to division engineer capabilities and support as well as conducting regular staff work on behalf of the G4. In 2023, he was assigned Headquarters and Service Company, I MLG to serve as the Facilities Officer, G4. Utilizing the expertise acquired by his time in the supporting Establishment, he assisted in the MLG in developing a master plan, programing the facility and infrastructure layout via a 10-year plan of military constructions and repairs of all the MSEs in accordance with MLG CG’s guidance.
Capt Lara is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School, Winter Mount Leader’s Course (AMOS 0942, Winter Mountain Leader), Total Force Integration, both basic and advance, and is currently enrolled in the Command and Staff Distance Education Program.
Additional education include courses from the Marine Corps University such Expeditionary Advance Base Operations, Beyond Boyd, and Red Teaming (AMOS 0506, Red Team Member).
His personal awards include one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.