Cpl. Oscar Ramirez instructs Marines in riot shield techniques. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell)

Maricopa native Cpl. Oscar Ramirez is training U.S. Marines aboard an assault ship.

A military police officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Ramirez graduated from Maricopa High School in 2015. He instructed the Marines in riot shield techniques aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

The Marines learned to work and move together to create formations in order to break up large crowds in the event of riots. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ramirez enlisted through Recruiting Station Chandler in 2016, and is now stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

(Official U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell)
(Official U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell)
(Official U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell)