Valley Springs, CA…Captain Luke Doylemason, a dedicated Valley Springs, California resident who balances life as a firefighter and infantry officer in the Marine Corps. Captain Doylemason is currently training with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) and will soon deploy to Japan.

Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division is part of the first entire Reserve infantry battalion to support a UDP since 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, deployed in 2020.This deployment is significant for the Reserve battalion, which is spread out across the U.S., and to the Reserve force contributing units to support exercises and operations outside of the continental U.S.

The activation marks the beginning of intense training as 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment provide a Total Force solution in support of the UDP to align with Marine Forces Reserve’s commitment to the Marine Corps’ strategic objectives while supporting III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan.

“The training and experience our Marines and Sailors will gain over the next year will serve to greatly increase their tactical and technical abilities while increasing the overall capability and lethality of this battalion for years to come.” said Lt. Col. Davis Gooding III, commanding officer, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. “This deployment will return these Marines and Sailors with leadership experience, physical fitness, and with a greater appreciation for the freedom and opportunities afforded to citizens of the United States of America.”

The unit will spend the coming months in the Mojave Desert preparing for its deployment, ensuring the Marines are fully manned, trained and equipped to meet mission challenges.

This deployment reflects the Marine Corps’ ongoing commitment to maintain operational readiness and to support global security objectives.

The battalion’s deployment is reinforced by several key units stationed across the country. Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, is based in Pasadena, California, while Fox Company 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, is located at Camp Williams, Utah. Weapons Company operates out of Seal Beach, California and Alpha Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, supports from Charleston, West Virginia.

Former Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Louis H. Wilson Jr. established the UDP in 1977 as an initiative to improve unit continuity by extending training rotations. As part of the program, infantry battalions stationed in the U.S. deploy to Okinawa, Japan, for six months.

The first Reserve unit involved with the UDP was Company C, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in 2003. Marine Forces Reserve has trained its companies, batteries and squadrons on the island of Okinawa ever since.

Civilian Career: Firefighter in Valley Springs, California, where Captain Doylemason serves and protects his community.

Deployment Role: As an infantry officer, Captain Doylemason will lead ground combat capabilities to support the mission overseas. Their adaptability and leadership in both civilian and military settings make them an integral part of the deployment team.