Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Martinez is a native of Colorado Springs, Co. He began his career in the United States Army in 1989 upon the completion of Infantry Basic Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Ga. Martinez has previously served as the Command Sergeant Major for 2nd Squadron-2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
Martinez has held every leadership position in infantry units, including infantry team leader, infantry squad leader, infantry platoon sergeant, first sergeant, operations sergeant major and command sergeant major. He has also performed the duties as observer and control at the National Training Center.
Martinez has served in numerous units throughout his career. His previous assignments include 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.; 3-325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; F Co 51st Infantry, Fort Bragg, N.C.; E Co 51st Infantry, Darmstadt, Germany; OPS Group NTC, Fort Irwin, Calif.; 1-12 Infantry, Fort Carson, Colo.; 1-68 Armor, Fort Carson, Colo.; 1-2 Infantry, Schweinfurt, Germany; 2nd Squadron-2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany; and 6-4 Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Ky. His combat tours of duty include Panama, three tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan.
Martinez is a graduate of the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course. He also graduated from the Special Operations Military Free Fall Course, and Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course; the U.S. Air Force Joint Fire Power Control Course; Airborne Course, Jump Master Course, Ranger Course and the First Sergeant Course. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 58. Martinez holds a bachelor of science degree in political science from Excelsior College in New York.
Martinez‘s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V device, Bronze Star Medal (4 oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (6 oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 oak leaf cluster) and the Army Achievement Medal (2 oak leaf clusters). He has also been awarded the Expert Infantrymen Badge, Combat Infantrymen Badge (with star), Master Parachutist Badge (with Bronze Star), HALO Badge; and Ranger Tab. He is a member of the Orders of Saint Maurice and Saint George. Martinez is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Morales Club and an honorary member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
He is married with one child.