CWO3 Mark Pellon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and began Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in October of 2004. Upon graduation from Recruit Training, he attended the Basic Musician’s Course at the Naval School of Music, in Norfolk, Virginia.
CWO3 Pellon reported for duty in September of 2005 to the Marine Forces Pacific Band located in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and served as Principal Saxophonist in the Concert Band, Jazz Big Band, Brass Band, Ceremonial Band, and Jazz Combo ensembles. CWO3 Pellon also served as a Vocalist for the Popular Music Group. Additionally, he deployed on the USS Peleliu to support international community relations and humanitarian missions, as well as serving as the Sergeant of the Guard for Operation Cobra Gold in Thailand.
In September of 2008, CWO3 Pellon attended the Naval School of Music’s, Intermediate Course. After graduation, he received orders to the 2nd Marine Division Band located at 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was assigned as the Acting-Enlisted Conductor and Acting-Small Ensemble Leader. He also held the position of Training Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), Martial Arts Instructor, and Music Librarian. CWO3 Pellon would also be selected to the Marine Corps Jazz Orchestra, the Marine Corps’ premiere Jazz ensemble that is comprised of the top 10% of all Marine Musicians, and would continue to perform with this group through 2018 on specialized recruiting tours.
In September of 2012 CWO3 Pellon was selected to attend the Naval School of Music, Senior Musicians Course; the Marine Corps’ most challenging music course. He graduated as the top Marine Musician in his class and received orders to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, in Miramar, California, in June of 2013. CWO3 Pellon served as Principal Saxophonist as well as Woodwind Chief and Platoon Sergeant. He would be selected to the position of Enlisted Conductor in December of 2014.
In January of 2015, CWO3 Pellon was selected to be the Musician Technical Assistant (MTA) for the 12th Marine Corps Recruiting District in San Diego, California. Upon completion of The Basic Recruiter’s School in March of 2015, he traveled the West Coast auditioning prospective applicants for the Marine Corps Music Program, as well as giving Music Master Classes at Universities and High Schools, and serving as a guest clinician at a variety of music festivals. He served as the MTA until he was selected to be a Band Officer in September of 2016.
CWO3 Pellon attended The Basic School, in Quantico, Virginia, from January to May of 2017 and reported to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, California, where he served as the Band Officer and Officer in Charge from June of 2017 to July of 2020.
In July of 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, CWO3 Pellon checked in as the Officer in Charge for the Parris Island Marine Band. During his time there, the band was highly successful, achieving widespread recognition from members of Congress with a Congressional Record and the Mayor of Beaufort with a city resolution. Additionally, the band would win the Colonel Howard Citation of Musical Excellence, become Finalists in the American Prize Arts competition, and become Emmy nominated for their recording of “You Were There”, written by Dr. Onsby Rose.
CWO3 Pellon reported to the 2nd Marine Division Band, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 2023 and currently serves as the Officer-in-Charge.
CWO3 Pellon’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Recruiting Ribbon, Rifle Expert (8th Award) and Pistol Expert (10th Award).