No Borders on Service: An Ecuadorian Marine’s Path to the U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Juan Ipialesparedes, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 6, 2026.

No Borders on Service: An...

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alan Gomez/Released 260106-M-PK186-1012.JPG

Jan 15, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Juan Ipialesparedes, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 6, 2026. Ipialesparedes, a native of Quito, Ecuador, previously served 11 years as a special operator in the Ecuadorian Marines before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 33 and earning U.S. citizenship during recruit training. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alan Gomez)

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CAMERA

Canon EOS R

LENS

RF28-70mm F2 L USM

APERTURE

SHUTTERSPEED

1/100

ISO

250

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

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