Capt Mercado is a native of San Diego, California. He attended San Diego State University, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Upon completing school he commissioned in the United States Marine Corps on November 17, 2018 upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Quantic, Virginia.
Capt Mercado completed Officer Basic Course 6-19 at Quantico, Virginia with Fox Company in March 2020. Following The Basic School, 1stLt Mercado completed Marine Corps Field Artillery Officer Basic Course 7-20 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in November of 2020. Upon completion of MOS school, he received orders to 2/11 as a Fire support officer for 3/5. During his time here he has participated in Integrated Training Exercise 2-22. Was attached as India Company's Fire Support Officer during boat course. Deployed on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, completing three MEU level exercises. As well as serving as the RSO for a Motor Range and was OIC for India Co 3/5 Dark Horse FEX. Upon returning from the Deployment moved over to Fox Battery to be 2nd Platoon Commander for the NMESIS Battery.
Upon his return Capt Mercado held the billet of Platoon Commander for the prototype Battery employing the NMESIS system. During this time in the Battery, they tested the Concept of Employment for a NMESIS Battery and section. This included multiple mobility exercises, reloads of encanistered missiles, mission processing and three ballistic shoots. To conclude his time with Fox Battery held the billet of Executive Officer to close out his time with 2/11. In June 2023 he reported in a Battery P, 5th Battalion, 14th Marines as the Inspector-Instructor in Yakima, WA.