“I was born and raised in Bamban, Tarlac, Philippines where I lived for 16 years. I speak both the native language (Tagalog) and the dialect (Kapampangan). In 2014 we moved to Valdosta, Georgia. The first year of being in the U.S. was rough for me, I did not have a job and had to stay in the house most of the time because of the language barrier. I obtained my green card and I finally was able to get a job where I worked at a fast food restaurant as a cook, and in a year I became a cook manager. That job did not satisfy me, so I kept looking for something more challenging and rewarding, and that’s when I decided to join the Marine Corps. I am the only person in my entire family who has joined any branch of the military.” “I deployed to the Philippines in October of 2019 where I was attached to 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and tracked all vehicles and equipment being moved around the country. Being deployed to the country I was raised in was humbling and rewarding, especially being able to come back and help support in a different capacity.” U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Lester Muldong is the Chief Dispatcher with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marines Logistics Group. 3rd MLG, operating from Okinawa, Japan, provides combat logistics support for III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Hailey D. Clay)