Staff & Instructors

Captain DeBiase is a United States Marine Corps Veteran who served from l954-1958. He started with the Young Marines, the forbearers of the Marine Cadets, in 1963 serving as National Director from 1970-1974. Board Member, U.S. Marine Corps Youth Foundation 1970-1985. In 1980 Captain DeBiase and the Marine Cadets of America emerged from the Young Marines as a separate organization. With this split, Captain DeBiase became the Commanding Officer of Company A, 1st Battalion here in New Haven, CT. During his 45 years of service to the young people of New Haven, Captain DeBiase has helped a countless number of youths to succeed. He currently holds a Presidential appointment as a board member of the United States Selective Service Commission. He is also a member of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro's selection committee for the U.S. Naval Academy. Captain DeBiase also served as Chief of Security for New Haven Connecticut Public Schools.

From New Haven CT, Cpl Williams is a Marine Cadet Alumni and obtained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. The program motivated him to seek something bigger than himself, so he joined the Marine Corps. He attended boot camp at Paris Island, SC then whet to Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry-East. He was then stationed at SOI-E with H&S Company. He is now Honorably Discharged as a Corporal, and continues to help out the Marine Cadets.

Cadet 1stSgt Nicholas Vitale is the most senior Alumni within the Marine Cadets of America. Born and raised in East Haven, CT, 1stSgt Vitale has been involved with the Marine Cadets for 15 years. 1stSgt Vitale has led, mentored, and advised Cadets, as he is the embodiment of our organization’s values. 1stSgt Vitale currently serves as Company First Sergeant, Supply Chief, and Company Treasurer.

GySgt Colon entered boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina in 1999. After graduating from Infantry Training Battalion, GySgt Colon entered the Anti Armor/Assault man course. He was assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion. After ranking in the top 5%, GySgt Colon was sent to 1st Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Force Company. During the Global War on Terror, GySgt Colon deployed with 5 different platoons in support of The USS Cole, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with multiple live Close Quarter Battle (CQB) missions. GySgt Colon entered the Marine Corps Reserves in 2005 and executed several missions between 2005 and 2009 both live and administrative. Gunnery Sergeant achieved his rank in the Individual Ready Reserve. GySgt Colon has worked at the Post Office since 2010.

Originally from South Carolina,Cpl Drury moved to CT in summer of 1996. Joined the Marine Corps in May of 2012 and went to Parris Island in October 2012. His Great Uncle was a Marine and was his motivation to become a Marine and improve his life. Attended his MOS School as a Motor I operator at Fort Leonard Wood MO. Joined as a Reservist to finish college and work on starting his own business as a personal trainer.

Construction Mechanic Second Class Spenser Johnson was born in Branford, Connecticut. As an alumnus of Marine Cadets of America, he achieved the rank of Cadet Gunnery Sergeant. CM2 Johnson enlisted in the United States Navy in late summer of 2015, graduating from Recruit Training Command Great lakes, Michigan fall of the same year. After becoming an Aviation Electronics Technician, his first duty station was Strike Fighter Wing Pacific DET El Centro, in El Centro, CA. CM2 Johnson deployed with Strike Fighter Squadron 103 on the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72, to take part in Operation Enduring Sentinel. In 2021, CM2 Johnson separated from Active duty to join the reserves. Upon entrance to the reserves, He was assigned to Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme CA to become a SeaBee. He was then assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 8, Newport Rhode Island. CM2 Johnson currently serves as Company Medical Officer

Sgt Thania Rivera was born in Arequipa, Peru and has lived in West Haven, CT since 2002.  Graduated from High School in 2008, and attended the University of Connecticut where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Cell Biology. It was during her second year of college that joined the United States Marine Corps in 2010. She attended boot camp training at Parris Island, South Carolina and shortly after Infantry Training Battalion in North Carolina. She then proceeded to MOS School in 2011 as an LVS Motor Operator in Fort Leanard Woods, Missouri. After completion of all required training, she was assigned to Marine Corps Reserve 6th Motor Transport Battalion Providence, RI and in 2014 she became part of CLR45 CLB25 Transportation Services Company Providence, RI. During this time, she continued with her military duties as well as resuming her bachelor’s degree and graduated in 2015. During her service time Sgt Rivera has planned and carried out countless missions supporting and resupplying Infantry units, as well as Vehicle recovery missions. She held many different billets to include Company Dispatch, Licensing Officer, Training NCO, Substance Abuse Control Officer, and many others. Sgt Rivera went back to school in 2018 and obtained a Master of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of New Haven in 2020. Sgt Rivera was Honorably Discharge in August 2020 and currently works as an oncology research scientist. She maintains active as part of the veteran community and is a Founder of the American Legion Post 210, New Haven, CT.

LCpl Carlos Martinez Jr. was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He graduated from high school in 2005 then graduated from Porter and Chester College in 2006. LCpl Martinez enlisted in the Marine Corps and was sent to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina on April 6th , 2008. LCpl Martinez finished his entry level training at Camp Gieger, North Carolina and Fort Leonardwood Missouri. His first duty Station was 6th Motor Transportation Company 4th MLG Providence, Rhode Island then transferred to MT CO A 6th MT BN 4th MLG New Haven CT as a LVS operator. LCpl Martinez was activated to join CLB 46 and sent to Iraq in May of 2009 for Operation Iraq Enduring Freedom until May of 2010. After LCpl Martinez finished his active duty in May 2011, he joined the Reserves for two more years and received an honorable discharge in the year of 2013. After the Marine Corps, LCpl Martinez started his own landscaping business. LCpl Martinez also obtained his associates and bachelors accounting degree from Housatonic Community College in May of 2020 then University of Bridgeport in May of 2022.