Story by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez
Regimental Combat Team-5, 1st Marine Division  

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Martinez, the Regimental Combat Team 5 Personal Security Detachment platoon commander, patrols through a bazaar here, Jan. 13. Martinez, a 35-year-old native of Moorhead, Minn., reenlisted aboard Camp Dwyer, to continue leading Marines. (Story by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez)

CAMP DWYER, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Leadership is, perhaps, the trait most commonly associated with the Marine Corps. From private to general, leadership is a quality that every Marine can take hold of, regardless of rank.

One Marine has led at the tip of the spear over the course of a 16-year career. He is doing so once again, currently serving with Regimental Combat Team 5 in southern Helmand province.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Martinez, the RCT-5 Personal Security Detachment platoon commander, reenlisted here, Jan. 14, to continue his work as a leader of Marines.

“Leading Marines is, honestly, the one thing I’ve aspired to do since I was a lance corporal,” said Martinez, a 35-year-old native of Moorhead, Minn.

“As I continue through my career, that’s all I could hope for…that I continue to have Marines to lead and mentor them to be, not only better Marines, but better people in general,” Martinez added.

Martinez has served in the Marine Corps since 1996. In addition to his current deployment, he’s served two combat tours in Iraq (2002 and 2005).

Throughout his career, Martinez has held multiple leadership positions with every unit in which he has served. He has led Marines as a machine gun section leader, platoon sergeant and company gunnery sergeant, to name a few.

His current role as the PSD platoon commander places the safety and security of the RCT-5 commanding officer, Col. Roger Turner, directly in his hands.

Martinez also leads his Marines on missions in support of subordinate battalions throughout Marjah, Nawa, Garmsir and Khan-Neshin districts, all part of the RCT-5 area of operations.
“We keep the colonel safe where ever he is,” said Martinez. “A lot of times, to show the security of an area, he goes on a foot-patrol without protective gear. We go out with him to make sure he’s protected 100 percent of the time.”

From section leader to platoon commander, Martinez has taken his valuable experience to southern Helmand, leading the PSD in protecting the commanding officer, supporting offensive operations, and mentoring the junior Marines in his charge.

“He’s a very calm, cool and collected leader,” said Sgt. Aaron Torres, a vehicle commander with the RCT-5 PSD and 25-year-old native of Los Angeles. “He shows us how to step outside of our role of being a squad leader or fire team leader and see the bigger picture.”

“Giving them a better understanding of their mission helps them understand and complete their [tasks] successfully,” said Martinez.

Though his duties have taken him to every clime and place, this was Martinez’ first time reenlisting in a combat zone.

“I’ve done a couple of combat tours, but I’ve never had the opportunity to reenlist in country,” Martinez explains. “I wanted to reenlist with the Marines I’m out here with; that’s one of the things I cherished about it.”

Not only did Martinez celebrate the occasion with his Marines, but his reenlistment also held special meaning for him and his wife, Megan. The ceremony was held on their first wedding anniversary.

“She obviously couldn’t be here, and it’s probably my only reenlistment that she’ll be a part of,” said Martinez. “But I tried to make her a part of it as much as possible by making it on the day that’s special to both of us.”

At the end of this most recent enlistment, Martinez will be able to reflect on 20 years of service in the Corps. Until then, he will continue to do that which he is most passionate about – lead Marines.

“All I’ve ever asked for is to be able to lead Marines,” Martinez said. “It’s been a blessing being able to lead these guys here in Afghanistan.”

Check out these other posts: