LCDR Zachary B. Martens

Past Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer (MCM 9)

15 July 2021 Lieutenant Commander Zach Martens is a 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.
 
Afloat, as a Department Head LCDR Martens served as the first Plans & Tactics Officer (PTO) in USS Preble (DDG 88) receiving the 2018 COMDESRON 23 Junior Officer Excellence in Tactics Award.  As a Division Officer, he served both tours in USS Princeton (CG 59) as Strike Officer, VBSS Officer, Administrative Officer, Assistant Weapons Officer, Navigator, and Assistant Operations Officer.  He has completed multiple deployments to both the Fifth and Seventh Fleet areas of operation. 
 
Ashore, LCDR Martens is a graduate of the Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) course of instruction, class 0417.  He graduated in June 2016 from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) with a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering & Analysis and completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I.  While attending NPS, he served as President of the Monterey Chapter of the Surface Navy Association (SNA), receiving the 2015 SNA Chapter Membership Excellence Award and also served as a member of the NPS President’s Student Council. 
 
As Executive Officer onboard USS Pioneer (MCM 9), The PIONEER earned the 2020 Battle “E” Award, 2020 Unit Tactics Award.