Page 3 - Unit Deployment Program News Today

Sergeant Major Lopez was born in Lovington, New Mexico. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January of 1999 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, CA. After graduating Marine Combat Training at School,

101 OKINAWA, JAPAN – On Feb. 17, 2021, Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (1/2), 2d Marine Division returned from a paradigm shifting deployment in the vast and exotic training areas of Japan. During a year marred by the effects of COVID-19, the battalion successfully deployed to Okinawa, Japan in the Fall of 2020, as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). After arriving in Japan, the battalion adhered to a strict two-week restriction of movement pl...

U.S. Marine Corps Col. John H. Rochford, the commanding officer of 8th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Maj. Keith D. Hoge, the sergeant major of 8th Marine Reg., both with 2d Marine Division, case the regimental colors during a deactivation ceremony on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 28, 2021. The regiment served a total of 68 years and is now being deactivated in accordance with the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chase W. Drayer) 8TH MARINE REGIM...

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- For an evolving Marine Corps, a step forward means having fewer Marines and Sailors in the ranks, but a more effective strength to carry out the mission. The Corps faced several cuts last year, and the trend continues into 2021 as 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, ends its most recent, 70-year, activation period with a deactivation ceremony on January 28. “It’s just a natural transition that we go through as we contract or expand the Marine Corps in certain lo...

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Division, conduct the table one range during 3d Marine Division Rifle Squad Competition at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 15, 2021. The week-long competition tests jungle survival skills, basic infantry tactics, and...