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The six-month deployment highlights the crucial role of citizen-soldiers in global military operations and their increasing integration into U.S. defense priorities across the Pacific region.
The battalion, formally adopted by Pasadena in 2013, will participate in the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP), joining approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors from companies based in California, Nevada, and Utah. Their mission aligns directly with the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 initiative, which emphasizes mobility, interoperability with allies, and deterrence against regional adversaries.
“As an infantry battalion, we focus on remaining worldwide deployable with the core skills of offensive operations, defensive operations, expeditionary operations, and crisis response,” said First Lt. Sean R Cloherty, Communication Strategy and Operations officer for Marine Forces Reserve. “Focused training objectives include jungle survival training, tactics in an island environment, humanitarian assistance as well as sharing best training practices with our many partner nations and allies all over the Pacific including Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea.”
The deployment places the battalion under III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, positioning them to participate in joint exercises that simulate amphibious assaults, humanitarian missions, and crisis response scenarios.
In 2018, the battalion’s UDP rotation to Okinawa saw Golf Company training with the Philippine Marine Corps and conducting reconnaissance along the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
“Every training evolution brings new ideas, perspectives, and best practices,” said Sgt. Maj. Joshua D. Minter, Inspector and Instructor Sergeant Major. “The more exercises we conduct in peace time, the better we are prepared for humanitarian efforts, disaster relief, and possible future conflict.”
The 2/23’s organizational structure includes Headquarters and Services Company in Pasadena, Echo Company in San Bruno, Fox Company in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, Golf Company in Seal Beach, and Weapons Company in Port Hueneme. Over 80 percent of the battalion’s personnel hold civilian jobs in various sectors including law enforcement, education, and emergency services.
“As a reserve battalion one of our most distinct advantages is many of our battalion marines and sailors have civilian jobs that bring a fresh perspective and unique point of view for everyday challenges they face,” 1st Lt. Cloherty said. “They bring these ideas and perspectives to offer fresh insight and new ways to conduct ongoing operations and training.”
The 23rd Marine Regiment brings a distinguished combat history to this mission, having been activated in 1942 and earned recognition in Pacific Theater campaigns at Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima, where four regiment members received the Medal of Honor.
More recently, the 2/23 deployed to Iraq in 2003, participating in the Battle of Nasiriyah and securing Baghdad’s Iraqi Intelligence Headquarters. Elements of the unit have also supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Black Sea Rotational Force in Eastern Europe.
For many unit members, balancing civilian careers with military obligations presents significant challenges, although the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act provides job protection during deployments. Small businesses, which employ 45 percent of the battalion’s personnel, often face difficulties accommodating extended absences.
“We are exceptionally grateful for the many civilian jobs that have programs in place to not only hold positions for our military personnel who deploy for when they return, but also can open temporary positions to fill any need that they have over the six months,” 1st Lt. Cloherty said.
The battalion’s Family Readiness Program addresses these challenges through workshops on financial planning and Veterans Affairs benefits, while maintaining communication channels during deployment. The Inspector-Instructor’s staff will later host a mid-deployment Yellow Ribbon event for local families to provide additional support during the separation.
Community backing remains vital to the battalion’s success, the unit said, with Pasadena providing consistent support since formally adopting the unit 12 years ago.
“The support that 2/23 has received from the Pasadena community has been absolutely amazing and a huge part of how we are able to be as successful in all our units’ accomplishments,” 1st Lt.Cloherty said. “The support has remained significant while home, off during training, or on deployment.”
Mayor Victor Gordo has emphasized the city’s commitment to its service members, saying simply, “These are our sons and daughters.”
As these citizen-soldiers depart for Okinawa, they carry forward both Pasadena’s civic pride and a military legacy forged in World War II’s Pacific campaigns, embodying the evolving role of reserve forces in U.S. defense strategy. Their deployment places them near contested areas like the Senkaku Islands and Taiwan Strait, potentially involving them in humanitarian aid missions or non-combatant evacuation operations.
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