CDR Michelle M. Martinez

Past Executive Officer, USS JOHN L. CANLEY (ESB 6) Blue Crew

03 March 2022 CDR Michelle M. Martinez enlisted from her hometown of Santa Clara, CA in 1994.  She served from 1994-2005 as an Aviation Electrician on various fixed-wing platforms and as a ‘C’ school instructor. Martinez was selected for the Seaman-to-Admiral 21 (STA-21) commissioning Program where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Columbia College, MO and was commissioned as Ensign, U.S. Navy in 2006.

After completing 18 months of flight training, Martinez was selected to join the Surface Warfare Officer community. In 2008, she served in Iraq as an Electronic Warfare Officer where she deployed, maintained, and trained joint operators on counter-IED weapon systems during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Martinez returned to the Fleet and reported to her first ship, USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99), as the Auxiliaries Officer. She reported to her second tour Division Officer assignment in 2011 as the Damage Control Assistant onboard USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66).

Following her ship tours, Martinez served as a NROTC Scholarship Candidate Guidance Officer at the Naval Education and Training Center.  She returned to USS HUÉ CITY in 2015 as the Weapons Officer and fleeted up as the Combat Systems Officer. She has deployed to the Fifth and Sixth Fleets, the Baltics, Black Sea, and Mediterranean operating areas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and multi-national and anti-piracy campaigns.

Her previous assignment was at USCENTCOM as the Operations Integration Branch Chief within Current Operations Division and CENTCOM Crisis Action Team (CAT) Officer-in-Charge (OIC).  Additionally, she served as Executive Assistant to the Commander, USCENTCOM. 

CDR Martinez’s commendations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (x2), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (x2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x5), and multiple campaign and unit awards.