Eric Martinez is a native of Houston, TX. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 10, 2014, and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, CA. Upon completion of recruit training in June of 2014, he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at the School of Infantry (SOI) at Camp Pendleton, CA. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training, he reported to Personal Administrations Course, Camp Johnson, North Carolina where he received his primary MOS of 0111, and Administrations Clerk. In September 2014, he reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 (HMLA-469), Camp Pendleton, CA.
In November 2014, Private First Class Martinez deployed with HMLA-469 as an Admin Clerk in support of Unit Deployment Program (UDP), with Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11). While deployed he took part in the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) in Daegu Korea, Camp Walker, and Balikatan Exercise conducted on Basa Air Base. He returned to the states in May 2015. On 1 February 2015 he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
On 2 December 2016 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. In May of 2016, Corporal Martinez was redeployed in support of Unit Deployment Program 16.2. While deployed he served as the Administrative Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. In November 2016, he returned to the states.
On 2 February 2017 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant; subsequently, graduating from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor’s Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. In April of 2017 Sergeant Martinez acted as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for Detachment for Training (DFT) to Twenty-nine Palms, California in support of Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 2-17.
In October of 2017 Sergeant Martinez acted as the S-1 representative for the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) during Exercise DAWN BLITZ, serving as the sole administrative specialist tracking movements and accountability for 15 units aboard the USS Anchorage. Gunnery Sergeant Martinez was awarded a squadron-level leadership award. In May of 2018, Sergeant Martinez executed Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) orders to be Marine Aircraft Group 39 becoming a Corporals Course Instructor, completing 5 classes of newly promoted Corporals.
In October of 2018, Sergeant Martinez received orders to Drill Instructor School, Class 1-19, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Martinez assigned to Second Recruit Training Battalion, Company F, for duty as a Drill Instructor. Sergeant Martinez completed Marine Corps Water Survival Instructors course in 2019. Sergeant Martinez completed 3 cycles as a Green Belt Drill Instructor, 4 cycles as a Senior Drill Instructor, and 2 cycles as a Chief Drill Instructor totaling in 9 complete training cycles. On 1 September 2020 Sergeant Martinez received a promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On 20 January 2022, Staff Sergeant Martinez received orders to MARFOR NORTHCOM holding the billet as the Personnel Chief in G-1 Manpower section. On 2 April 2023 Staff Sergeant Martinez was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
On 1 April 2025, Gunnery Sergeant Martinez received orders to 6th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA as the Personnel Chief of the administrative section. Gunner Sergeant Martinez was selected and promoted to the rank of First Sergeant on 6 February 2026 while simultaneously receiving orders to Intelligence Support Battalion, FHG, MFR as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader.
First Sergeant Martinez’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with gold star in lieu of Third award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award) and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (with bronze star in lieu of second award).