Fillmore resident Marcos A. Ruvalcaba, 34 years, was promoted to Captain in the United States Marine Corps on April 1, 2011. He recently returned from a seven month deployment in Afghanistan and is now stationed at Camp Pendleton, California near Oceanside where he is with the 1MEF at Camp Del Mar with G7 Training and Experiment Group Intelligence Section alongside Special Operation Training Group; assisting the 11th MEU on their pre-deployment training program. This was his third deployment to the Middle East and he is scheduled to redeploy in early 2012 for his fourth deployment.

Captain Ruvalcaba attended Fillmore schools until the 9th grade when he transferred to St. Bonaventure High School. At St. Bonaventure he participated in soccer and baseball before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in February 1998. While in the United States Marine Corps he attended Chapman University from 2002-2005 where he studied Criminal Justice. Captain Ruvalcaba continued his college education as an enlisted Marine and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree which allowed him to attend Officer Candidates School. After completing Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 30, 2007 just nine years after enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.

Captain Ruvalcaba is the son of Aurelia and Jose Refugio Ruvalcaba of Fillmore. He is married to Carmen of Palmdale and they a 10-month old daughter, Elisa Brianna born August 22, 2011. Elisa is the first grandchild for Aurelia and Jose and they are very excited for this new addition to their family. His siblings are Pablo 32 years of Fillmore, Victor 30 years of Santa Monica, CA, Jose 28 years of Fillmore and Mariza 25 years of Northern San Francisco. His maternal Grandparents are Manuel 89 years and the late Inez Aparicio of Fillmore and paternal Grandparents the late Longinos and the late Pachita Ruvalcaba of Fillmore.

When I did an earlier article on Captain Ruvalcaba, approximately one year ago, he was a Ground Intelligence Officer with the Military Transition Team 0720 (MiTT) from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California embedded with an Iraqi Army Brigade in Al Anbar province Baghdadi, Iraq. He had been deployed for one year and had five months remaining on his deployment. That was his second deployment to Iraq. When 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on March 30, 2009 an Iraqi Army Officer (Lieutenant Colonel equivalent) pinned his silver bars on his collar. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba believes this was the first time an Iraqi Officer participated in the promotion of an American Officer!

As a result of his distinguished service to his Country, Captain Ruvalcaba has earned the following awards and medals; (1) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, (3) United States Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, (1) Combat Action Ribbon (1) Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2) Iraq Campaign Medal, (1) National Defense Medal, (3) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with the Combat “V”, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1) Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, (8) Letters of Appreciation, (1) Certificate of Commendation (individual award), (3) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, (1) NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan (3) Meritorious Mast and (4) Certificates of Appreciation.

In November 2010 then 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat “V” for his heroic actions while on his third deployment. The document recommending the medal outlines his actions leading up to this medal being awarded states: “Heroic achievement in the superior performance of duties while serving as a platoon commander, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division Forward from April 3, 2010 to November 10, 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. First Lieutenant Ruvalcaba successfully planned and executed hundreds of Dismounted Combat Patrols and 25 Cordon and Knocks Missions while his tactical patience, mature understanding of Counterinsurgency Principals, and use of Tactical Site Exploitation led directly to detention of ten insurgents during Operation Roadhouse II, the clearing of Safar Bazaar, he boldly conducted an explosive combined arms breach of a minefield and maneuvered his platoon to seize a key southern blocking position, isolating the Bazaar to the south along the forward line of enemy troops. His subsequent actions during 18 direct fire engagements displayed composure and decisive action while in contact that resulted in 15 enemy casualties. First Lieutenant Ruvalcaba's initiative, perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

Captain Ruvalcaba stated that, “The best satisfaction besides getting the mission accomplished and bringing the fight to the Taliban was bringing my platoon back home to their families in one piece. That was a collective effort between my Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leaders, Fire Team Leaders and our training together.”

All of us here in the communities of Fillmore and Piru are proud of United States Marine Corps Captain Marcos A. Ruvalcaba for his service. As a former Marine myself I can say Captain Ruvalcaba is a textbook Marine and an officer I would have been proud to serve under. The communities of Fillmore and Piru wish him a long and distinguished career, safe travel and safe return home from his fourth tour to the Middle East in early 2012. We thank Captain Ruvalcaba and his family for the sacrifices they have already made and will make in the future. Captain Marcos A. Ruvalcaba is one of our own and is truly an American Hero! Semper Fi Captain!