Golf Clubs & Lessons for The Martinez, U.S. Marine Corps Family

Ted enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1998 from the Bronx, New York, and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduation, he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, before reporting to Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School (MCCES) in 29 Palms, California, where he trained as an Aviation Radio Technician (5937). In June 1999, Ted received orders to Marine Air Control Squadron 4 at Camp Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, where he deployed to Korea and participated in Foal Eagle ’99.

In August 2000, Ted was selected to attend Marine Security Guard School and follow-on training for assignment to designated countries. He served as a Marine Security Guard and watch stander at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 2000 to 2001, and in Bogotá, Colombia, from 2001 to 2003. 

In December 2003, Ted returned to MCCES in 29 Palms for advanced MOS training before reporting to Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3), where he later deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In December 2007, he received orders to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. During his time on the drill field, he served as a K Company Drill Instructor, L Company Senior Drill Instructor, L Company Chief Drill Instructor, and later as the 3rd Battalion Headquarters Company First Sergeant and Operations Chief.

In January 2012, Ted returned to MASS-3 and deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he served as the Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of MASS-3 (Forward), Marine Air Control Group 38 (Forward). He later served as the Aviation Radio Maintenance Chief and Company First Sergeant at MASS-3. In August 2013, he returned to Camp Futenma, Okinawa, and joined Marine Air Support Squadron 2, serving as the Maintenance Section Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Headquarters Company First Sergeant, and Squadron Sergeant Major. In August 2015, he returned to MASS-3 at Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as Maintenance Chief and Air Support Company First Sergeant.

In April 2018, Ted reported to Marine Air Support Squadron 1 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served in several senior leadership positions, including Company First Sergeant, Squadron Sergeant Major, and Maintenance Chief. He was later promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant and, after 25 years of service, retired from the United States Marine Corps in February 2023.

Throughout his Marine Corps career, Ted Martinez served Marines in leadership, operational, maintenance, training, diplomatic security, and overseas assignments around the world. His career included service at U.S. embassies, security support for two sitting U.S. presidents, three major combat deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and leadership assignments ranging from Drill Instructor to Squadron Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of a fourth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star in lieu of a second award.

Ted is married to his wife, Briggitte, and together they have an eight-year-old son, Ariston. After more than two decades of service, he now focuses on his family, continuing his education, and carrying forward the leadership lessons and experiences he gained throughout his Marine Corps career.