MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Theodore G. Ingram III transferred his duties as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group in a relief and appointment ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, on April 10, 2026. After more than two decades of faithful service, Ingram is closing out his tenure and leaving behind a command profoundly shaped by his focus on leadership, trust and the evolution of modern warfare.
The ceremony, presided over by U.S. Marine Corps Col. William E. DeLeal, the commanding officer of I MIG, marked the official transfer of duties and responsibilities for the CSEL. In transferring the noncommissioned officer sword during the Sword of Office ceremony, Sgt. Maj. Geronimo Guzman assumed the responsibilities as the new I MIG CSEL. The ceremony symbolizes the transfer of authority and discipline from an outgoing to an incoming sergeant major. Guzman enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1998 and brings a wealth of operational experience including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, service as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and most recently served as the battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
As the senior enlisted advisor to the commander, Ingram oversaw the morale, welfare and combat readiness of the unit’s personnel. Ingram provided critical mentorship to leaders at every level, creating a command that is always prepared to create and exploit an information advantage.
When Ingram arrived in Jan. 2024, he took over an already high-performing unit. “Upon my arrival, I found the unit to be exceptionally well-run, with a positive and professional environment,” Ingram said. “What stood out most was the maturity and depth of expertise across the formation.”
Rather than impose drastic changes, Ingram applied a philosophy of "tactical patience," an approach shaped by a career including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. These experiences gave him a unique perspective on refining the concept of the “Information Warrior.”
“Information Warriors are Marines who approach the information environment with the same discipline and intensity as combat operations,” Ingram explained. “It requires a proactive mindset and a commitment to being ready for any adversary.”
For Ingram, cultivating a unified team is the primary focus. Working alongside the command’s leadership, Ingram sought to foster a climate rooted in trust and a shared identity. Initiatives like team-building events and “Fireside Chats” were key to this effort. Ingram's goal was to create a competitive, successful, and loyal environment where every Marine felt valued and connected to the mission.
Ingram acknowledged that building culture is not without challenges. “Gaining genuine buy-in takes time,” Ingram reflected. “But once trust is established, it becomes the foundation for everything else.”
During Ingram's tenure, I MIG demonstrated exceptional operational reach, supporting multiple marine expeditionary units and global force rotations. I MIG personnel received numerous accolades, including the recognition of the United Service Organizations 2026 Marine of the Year for a Marine with 9th Communication Battalion, I MIG, and the meritorious promotion of over 60 Marines: accomplishments Ingram views as a direct reflection of the unit’s collective spirit. As he departs, Ingram leaves a unit he believes is fully prepared for the future. “This unit is mentally, physically, and spiritually ready to meet any challenge,” he said proudly. “We’ve built a culture of trust and cohesion that will endure.”
Although Ingram is departing I MIG, his ability to shape and mentor Marines will follow him to his next assignment as the recruiting station sergeant major for Recruiting Station Orlando, Florida, 6th Marine Corps District. The culture of trust and shared identity nurtured during Ingram’s time at I MIG will be instilled in future Marine Corps recruits, fully embodying the Latin phrase, Semper Fidelis, meaning “always faithful.” That culture has become a defining point of pride, embodied by a sentiment he feels is shared throughout the command. “There’s a strong sense of identity here,” Ingram concluded. “The only thing better than being a Marine is being a Marine in the I MEF Information Group.”