First Sergeant Melendez began Recruit Training on 2 May 2004 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. He was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class and graduated 30 July 2004. Following graduation from recruit training, Private First-Class Melendez attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
Upon completion of MCT, Private First-Class Melendez attended the Motor Transport School at US Army Training Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in September 2004. In October 2004, Private First-Class Melendez reported to 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, Marine Corps Base Twenty-nine Palms, California where he served as a Line NCO and Fire Team Leader. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in September 2005 and deployed with 3d Battalion, 7th Marines to Ramadi, Iraq where he served as section leader for his truck team with Kilo Company. In March 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and subsequently deployed in March 2007 to Ramadi, Iraq.
On December 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and in February 2008, and reported to the school of Infantry to perform the duties as a Squad Leader and Training NCO. In January 2010, Sergeant Melendez graduated Sergeant's Course, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton where he was recognized as a distinguished graduate. In April 2010, Sergeant Melendez reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California to attend Drill Instructor School, class 3-10. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Melendez reported to Echo Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion to serve as a Drill Instructor. During his tour he held the billets of Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. On 2 July 2013 he was promoted meritoriously to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On June 2013, Staff Sergeant Melendez reported to Combat Logistic Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group in Camp Pendleton, California. During his time with the unit, he was assigned as a Section Leader, Security Element Leader and Platoon Sergeant. In July 2014, Staff Sergeant Melendez deployed with Combat Logistic Battalion 1 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 14.2. While deployed, Staff Sergeant Melendez performed the duties as Security Element Leader, Assistant Convoy Commander, Company Operations Chief, and Battalion Operations Chief.
In January 2015, Staff Sergeant Melendez deployed to Australia where he performed the duties of Motor Transport Operations Chief and Platoon Sergeant to the Combat Logistic Detachment 1 in support of 1st Battalion 4th Marines, Marines Rotational Force-Darwin. In November 2016, Staff Sergeant Melendez returned to CLB-I to assume the duties as the Truck Master. In May of 2016, Staff Sergeant Melendez reported to Ill Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), G-4, Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), Movement Control Center (MMCC). During the time spent at the unit, Staff Sergeant Melendez held the billets of MAGTF Movement Control Coordinator and Logistics Representative for the Joint Movement Control Center (JMCC), in direct support of joint bilateral exercises in the Pacific Area of Operations. On October 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
In June of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Melendez reported to Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3d Marine Air Wing Camp Pendleton, California and served as the Motor Transport Operations Chief and Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant. On January 2021, he was promoted to First Sergeant and reported to Marine Special Operations Company (MSOC) Bravo, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Raider Regiment, United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, California. During his time with the unit, First Sergeant Melendez deployed to the Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility. As the First Sergeant for Special Operations Task Force 511.2. Primarily supporting the Philippines Western Mindanao Command area of operations. In June 2022 First Sergeant Melendez reported to 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) Camp Schwab, Okinawa Japan and currently continues serve as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Melendez's awards include: Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold star, in lieu of 4th award, Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a combat distinguishing device with four gold stars in lieu of 5th award, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.