Petty Officer Juan Martinez
Submitted by Michael T. Naya, Jr.
Kenilworth resident Petty Officer Juan Martinez, David Brearley Class of 2016 is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as an administrator for facility operations at Norfolk Naval Station. Growing up he attended David Brearley High School where he played four-year varsity soccer and was a member of the 2013 and 2015 state championship teams. Following graduation, he continued to work for Blanc Noir Event Group, a DJ company in northern New Jersey where he worked since 2012. Juan enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May, 2019 and left for boot camp at Great Lakes, Chicago on August 19, 2019. When asked why he enlisted he stated,
“I enlisted because I always wanted to serve either my country or community. Whether it was law enforcement, the military, or any other capacity. I love to travel and see different things. The military was the best fit for me since it was a place where I can serve my country, travel the world, and see so many different things.”
After bootcamp Juan was sent to Pensacola, Florida where he learned to become an ABH (Aviation Boatswain Mate Handler). After completion of his studies, he boarded the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), also known as “IKE.” He reported aboard the IKE on December 15, 2019, and fifteen days later received his first deployment. He commented,
“I was super excited and eager to get started and see the world, I was in for a rude awakening. Little did I know Covid came and ruined everything. We spent 206 days out at sea straight with no port calls and it turned into the longest deployment in carrier history. After being stationed on the Ike for three years I took my talents to shore duty. I am now currently stationed at Norfolk Naval Station running facility operations for the entirety of the base. Norfolk is known for being the biggest naval base in the world.”
When asked about his duties as an Aviation Boatswain Mate Handler he commented,
“An aviation boatswain mate handler works on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. If you have ever seen the movie Top Gun or Top Gun Maverick, I’m the one that wears the yellow shirt and direct aircraft. It’s said that it is the second most dangerous job in the military with the first being on the frontline of war. They say that because you need to always keep your head on a swivel especially at night. If someone turns an F-18 jet on and you’re not paying attention, you can get blown overboard. We work fourteen- or sixteen-hour days especially when we are flying in the 5th fleet but it’s an amazing, rewarding, and super-fun job.”
Juan also commented on what it means to serve his country. He stated, “Serving my country to me means being a part of the 1% of Americans that make up the military. It means being part of a select few who are willing to sacrifice everything to support and defend our democratic republic for better or worse.”
When asked if he keeps in touch with anyone in Kenilworth he stated, “I keep in touch with many people from back home. Every time I return home, I make it a mission to stop by the rec center and see my second family Pat and Kristin. I worked for them various summers and it was nothing but amazing. What they do for the community is tremendous and I wanted to be a part of that the minute I became of age. Alongside them I keep in touch with some of my old teammates from my 2015 championship team.”
Juan has three siblings, two of whom are currently attending Kenilworth public schools. His siblings include Hector Tiru, a freshman at David Brearley High School, Arianna, a third grader at Harding Elementary, and his sister Jessica, a 7th grader who lives in Florida with Juan’s father. Part-time he works for a barbershop in Norfolk called Talento Latino Barbershop. When he is not busy working, he enjoys spending time with his family and grilling in the backyard.
This is part V of an ongoing series honoring those currently serving in the U.S. military from Kenilworth. If anybody knows of those currently serving, they should contact Michael T. Naya, Jr. at 732-986-7768.
Courtesy photo
