When you think about the United States Marine Corps, you probably picture the dress blues, the silent drill team, or maybe just the gritty reality of life in the field. But for those actually wearing the uniform, it’s a lot more specific than that. It’s about the unit. It’s about the guys to your left and right. One of those Marines is Lance Cpl. Nicholas Ballesteros.
If you aren't familiar with the name, you’ve likely seen the images of him without realizing it. Military photography often captures these raw, candid moments of training that look like something out of a movie, but for Ballesteros, it was just another day at the office. And that "office" happened to be the deck of a dock landing ship in the middle of the East China Sea.
Life with the China Marines
Nicholas Ballesteros served as a mortarman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. In the Corps, these guys are famously known as the “China Marines.” That’s a title with a massive amount of history behind it, dating back to the early 20th century.
Being part of Alpha Company isn't just about carrying a rifle. These Marines are the small boat raid specialists. Think fast, loud, and incredibly dangerous. They are the Ground Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Honestly, the 31st MEU is a unique beast. It is the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU. While other units are back home in Camp Lejeune or Pendleton waiting for a deployment cycle, these guys are already out there. They are the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. If something goes sideways in that part of the world, they are usually the first ones on the scene.
Training on the USS Ashland
Back in early 2019, specifically around February 8th, Ballesteros was aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48). The Ashland is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship—basically a giant floating garage and airfield designed to haul Marines and their gear wherever they need to go.
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While the ship was transit through the East China Sea, the training didn't stop. You can't just sit around and watch the waves.
Ballesteros was captured in several official Marine Corps photographs during this time, often training alongside his fellow mortarman, Lance Cpl. David Black. They weren't just practicing with their mortars; they were drilling on the fundamentals of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).
The MCMAP Grind
There’s a specific photo of Ballesteros practicing a counter to a front choke. It sounds basic, right? It isn't. When you’re on a moving ship, surrounded by steel bulkheads, and wearing full gear, every movement has to be deliberate.
- Intensity: MCMAP isn't just sport fighting; it’s designed for the battlefield.
- Repetition: They do these moves hundreds of times so that the muscle memory takes over.
- Environment: Doing this on the deck of the USS Ashland adds a layer of difficulty most people never experience.
The training emphasizes that a Marine is a weapon, with or without a rifle. For a mortarman like Ballesteros, who is responsible for high-angle fire support, having those close-quarters skills is a vital "just in case" insurance policy.
The Role of a Mortarman
People often overlook the 0341 MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). It’s a tough job. Mortarmen have to carry heavy base plates, tubes, and rounds, often over brutal terrain.
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In a unit like the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, the mortar section provides the immediate indirect fire that ground commanders rely on. They are the bridge between a rifleman’s individual weapon and the massive power of air support or naval gunfire. It requires a mix of brute strength and mathematical precision. You’ve got to be fast, but if your "dope" (the sighting data) is off by a hair, you miss the target.
Why This Kind of Service Matters
It’s easy to get lost in the big headlines about geopolitical shifts or carrier strike groups. But the reality of American power in the Pacific is built on the backs of individual Marines like Nicholas Ballesteros.
The 31st MEU operates in a state of constant readiness. They partner with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group to provide a flexible and lethal force. This isn't just "showing the flag." It’s about being ready to perform anything from humanitarian aid and disaster relief to full-scale combat operations at a moment's notice.
When you see a Lance Corporal training on a ship deck, you're seeing the literal tip of the spear.
Tracking the Legacy
Marine Corps history is a long chain of individual stories. While we don't always see the day-to-day lives of every service member, the documentation provided by combat camera units gives us a window into that world.
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The photos of Ballesteros, taken by Lance Cpl. Harrison Rakhshani, serve as a permanent record of the "China Marines" in the 21st century. They show the sweat, the focus, and the camaraderie that defines the infantry experience.
What can we learn from this?
If you are looking into the service of Nicholas Ballesteros or the 1/4 Marines, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the Unit History: The "China Marines" have one of the most decorated lineages in the Corps. Researching the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines provides context for why their training is so rigorous.
- Understand the MEU Cycle: The 31st MEU's forward-deployed status means their operational tempo is significantly higher than most stateside units.
- Appreciate the MOS: Look into the specific duties of a mortarman (0341) to understand the physical and mental demands placed on Marines in that role.
The service of Marines like Nicholas Ballesteros is often quiet, professional, and far from the spotlight. Yet, it remains the foundation of maritime security in one of the most volatile regions on Earth. Whether it's practicing a choke counter on the USS Ashland or prepping a 60mm mortar for a raid, the work continues regardless of who is watching.
For those interested in following the current activities of the 31st MEU or the "China Marines," the best way to stay updated is through the official DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) portal or the Marine Corps' official social media channels, which frequently highlight the training and deployments of these forward-deployed units.