By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PENSACOLA, FL – Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Martinez, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where the next generation of Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute life-or-death rescues in the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Martinez is a 2010 graduate of Coral Springs High School.
Martinez joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Martinez serves as a naval air crewman (tactical helicopter) and instructor.
“I was looking for something different, and the Navy offered that opportunity,” Martinez said.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fort Lauderdale.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of leadership,” Martinez said. “The leaders I had growing up taught me a lot about how to inspire others.”
Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, ARSS provides initial aviation water survival training and CPR qualification to all preflight student naval aviators and student naval flight officers, student flight surgeons, naval aircrew candidates, student aviators from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and international student aviators.
As part of the world’s most elite Special Operations force, AIRRs are a team dedicated to being the top emergency response unit in the world. Leaping from helicopters, swimming through raging seas and saving victims whose lives are on the line, AIRRs complete search and rescue missions in some of the most extreme environments imaginable. The motto of an AIRR is, “so others may live.” It is a testament to not only the selflessness of this job but the honor, courage, and commitment it takes to do it well.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Martinez serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Martinez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments as part of military service and outside his time in uniform.
“I just completed my first ultra, a 50-miler in January,” Martinez said. “I’ve already signed up for a 100-miler in September.”
Martinez can take pride in serving America through military service.
“When I first joined, it was for me,” Martinez said. “I selfishly wanted to make myself better. Now that I’ve served a few years and am working here as an instructor, it’s less about me and more about what I can do to help others.”
Martinez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Matthew Duggan for supporting me in my decision to join the Navy,” Martinez added. “I also want to thank my mom, Chris Bailey, for always being in my corner throughout my life.”
