CW4 Richard D. Martin Jr., was born in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, in 1969, and enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1987, as a Private First Class. He later earned his appointment as a Warrant Officer One, from the Warrant Officer Career College (WOCC), Fort Rucker, AL.
Mr. Martin attended and graduated from Georgia Military College in 1990, with an Associate of Science Degree, in General Science Studies. He additionally attended and graduated from the Georgia College and State University, in 1993, with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with a major in Psychology, and a minor in Marketing. He graduated from Marine Deck Officer (880A) Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) in 2006, Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC) in 2010, Marine Deck Officer A2 Certification Course (A2CC) in 2015, and the Warrant Officer Intermediate Leader Education (WOILE) course in 2018.
CW4 Martin is currently serving as the Marine Staff Warrant Officer, in the S3 section, of the Third Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), Fort Belvoir, VA. His previous duty positions include: Vessel Master, USAV MG Henry Knox (LT-802), 709th Transportation Company (Floating Craft), Marine Operations Officer, 316th ESC, Coraopolis, PA, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Vessel Master, USAV Matamoros (LCU-2026), Detachment 1, 824th Transportation Company (Heavy Boat), Morehead City, NC, Vessel Master, (various vessels) 824th Transportation Company (Heavy Boat), Tampa, FL.
He has two overseas deployment tours: Operation Iraqi Freedom with service in Kuwait and the Persian Gulf Region (2003). Operation Spartan Shield with service in Kuwait, Persian Gulf Region, and the Arabian Sea (2012-2013).
CW4 Martin’s other military education includes: Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), Military Resources in Emergency Management (IS-0075), Joint Logistics of the Shore (JLOTS) Planners Course (currently enrolled), Technical Transportation of Hazardous Materials (Ammo-62), Ammo Manager’s Course, United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).
His awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “Bronze Hour Glass” and “M” Device, Army Service Medal, Army Overseas Service Medal, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (3), Army Sea Duty Ribbon Other awards-NCO of the Year 2005, 32 TC GP, NCO of the Year 2005, 143rd TRANSCOM, Orlando, FL, NCO Year AUSA 2005, Honor Graduate WOAC 2010, Warrant Officer of the Year- National Finalist, Reserve Officers Association, 2015, WO1 Adrian B. Stump Award AUSA, 2018.
CW4 Martin, served twenty years, as a Troop Program Unit (TPU) Soldier, before entering the Active Duty in Support of the Guard and Reserve (AGR) program in 2007. Mr. Martin Is a Life Member of the United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA), Former Vice President, and Acting President of the Northwest Silver Chapter (2016-2018?), Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Life Member of the Reserve Officers Association, Member, Association of the United States Army (AUSA), twenty-six year member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, (AOPA), FAA licensed Private Pilot- Airplane, an NAUI certified International open-water SCUBA diver…..Former Fire Commissioner, Spring Hill Fire Rescue (SHFR) Spring Hill, FL, former Rescue Specialist, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Milledgeville, GA.
Mr. Martin resides on Fort Belvoir, VA., with his family which includes his wife Candace Martin, and his two children, Tiffany, and Andrew.