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Hometown hero promoted to General |
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Thursday, 31 December 2009 |
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Brigadier General Jerry P. Martinez
By TRAVIS RUIZ
Lead Reporter
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His mother describes him as a "hometown boy," a boy who simply believed in himself and set his goals. Now, his goals have carried him to being promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
Guymon native, Col. Jerry P. Martinez is currently the Inspector General, Headquarters Air Mobility Command (AMC), Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Under that title he leads a selectively manned unit which enhances readiness by assessing AMC's mission capability and ensuring command-wide environment of customer services, continuous improvement, safety, efficient use of resources and responsiveness to the needs of AMC's people and organizations. General Martinez previously served as executive officer to the commander of AMC.
General Martinez, a 1981 graduate of Guymon High School, was commissioned in May 1986 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, Okla. General Martinez also holds a Master of Arts degree in business administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo.
He was recently assigned as a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow with the DuPont Corporation in Wilmington, Del. General Martinez assisted with strategy development and subsequently served as the commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wash., overseeing the Air Force's only Prime Nuclear Airlift Force.
With over 4000 flying hours, General Martinez is a rated command pilot. He has flown in combat during Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
In February 2010, General Martinez will be deployed to Afghanistan for one year to serve as deputy commander of political-military affairs for combined security transition command in Kabul, Afghanistan. He will serve as a liaison between the Afghan ambassador and General Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.
General Martinez is the son of retired MSGT Ernie and Mabel Martinez of Guymon and grandson of the late Ernest and Ameila Martinez of Des Moines, NM. He is the brother of JoAnn Mallard of Guymon and Ronnie Martinez of Fritch, Texas. He is married to Kim (Ogletree) Martinez, formerly of Guymon. They have two children, Travis and Tayler. Travis, following in his father's footsteps, is currently a sophomore at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Tayler is a junior at Mascoutah High School in Illinois.
His mother says her son serves as a "great inspiration" for all local kids who dream of becoming something more.
"There are so many kids here [Guymon] who think that they can't do anything," said Mrs. Martinez. "This just goes to show that they can do anything."
Reporter's Notebook
The Guymon Daily Herald thanks Gen. Martinez, his father, his son and all those serving our country. It is because of hometown heroes like the Martinez's that our country continues to enjoy its freedom. They not only make those in Guymon proud, but also our entire nation.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 January 2010 )
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