So many stars ... so little time

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Chief Warrant Officer Martinez.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

03.19.2008

Story by Sgt. Giancarlo Casem 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Giancarlo Casem
50th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Service members have seen countless singers perform and have met numerous Hollywood stars. However, they most indubitably have never met the Marine who makes it all happen.

Chief Warrant Officer Randall Martinez is that Marine.

Martinez, from Marine Corps Station Yuma, Ariz., works hard behind the scenes to make sure service members get that shot of morale boost.

Martinez has escorted stars like Kix Brooks of country duo Brooks and Dunn, award-winning actress Scarlett Johansson, and numerous NFL cheerleading troupes. How did the Houston native get this dream job?

"I got lucky actually," Martinez said. "I put in a request to go to Iraq, and they gave me something better."
Martinez said he volunteered for a billet in Iraq, but that job was assigned to someone else. Martinez wanted to deploy and at that point, had no specific preference.

Martinez, who is set to redeploy in March, can look back at his numerous memories with celebrities and feel good about what he has done to help boost morale for servicemembers in Kuwait.

"It's been very rewarding," he said. "I'm very honored to have had this bestowed on me."

Although Martinez has met many stars in his time at U.S. Army Central G1, the two most memorable for him has been comedian Carlos Mencia and the band Yellowcard.

"Everybody knows you, you meet so many people," he said. "(Carlos Mencia and Yellowcard) were, by far, the best entertainers that I met. We actually got to hang out and I got to know them on a personal basis."

Martinez's trip to stardom started 18 years ago. As a teenager, he was talked into joining the Marine Corps by his best friend. Almost two decades later, his friend is no longer serving while Martinez has schmoozed with some of the biggest names in show biz.

Although he has gained himself a star-like status amongst the camps in Kuwait, Martinez remains humble and continues to work diligently.

"He's an excellent worker," said Capt. Irma Matos, USARCENT G1 programs and policies deputy chief. "He does his job, you don't see him do his job, but he does it well, he's not star-struck like everybody else."

As Matos, a native of San Diego, looks back at Martinez's time with the G1 section, she said Martinez has more to offer than just his job expertise.

"It's eventful, he always makes you laugh, when you're down he brings you back up," she said. "You don't have to worry about what needs to get done, he's always on it."

Martinez's personality has truly benefitted him during his time escorting celebrities, even when last minute problems arose.

"I'm easy going and I like to interact with people," Martinez said. "I try to take care of as many people as I can – I just go with the flow and do the best I can."

The best that he can do has resulted in many service members being able to enjoy a concert or meet some of their celebrity idols. Martinez's calm-and-collect demeanor has also helped him when he's had to introduce some of the music acts.

While introducing a country music legend to a crowd of thousands may make almost anyone sweat bullets, Martinez makes it look effortless.

"It's unnerving, I was very nervous," he said. "You just can't go out there and introduce them; you have to make sure the crowd is pumped up. That way, it makes the entertainer feel better. You're in the spotlight and do the best you can. It's an honor to open for those people."

As his time in USARCENT wraps up and his boots eventually land him Hawaii, Martinez's replacement, Chief Warrant Officer Jonell Kosa, as Matos put it, "has big shoes to fill."

• Date Taken: 03.19.2008
• Date Posted: 03.19.2008 02:22
• Story ID: 17515
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW