Warrior Wednesday – Sgt. Martinez, PSYOP NCO

Photo By Sgt. Cody Rowe | U.S. Marine Sgt. Juan Martinez, a psychological operations (PSYOP) noncommissioned officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, uses a loud speaker at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, December 21, 2020. Martinez, a native of Miami, Florida, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2014 as a motor transport operator and applied as a PSYOP Marine in 2018. Martinez has learned that being successful in the PSYOP community requires him to constantly expand his mind and learn about other cultures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Rowe)  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.21.2020

Story by Cpl. Cody Rowe 

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

“I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted the experience. I wanted to travel and challenge myself and see what it had to offer.” Sgt. Juan Martinez is a psychological operations (PSYOP) noncommissioned officer currently assigned to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, and is a native of Miami, Florida.

“I was born in Bogota, Colombia and I moved to Miami when I was 12 years old,” said Martinez. “I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2014 as a motor transport operator.” Martinez served four years as a motor transport operator before lateral moving into the PSYOP occupational specialty, which was introduced to the Marine Corps in 2018. “I wanted a challenge and the opportunity to try something new,” said Martinez. “I considered applying for human intelligence and explosive ordnance disposal, but PSYOP really grabbed my attention because I felt I could really make a difference.”

Psychological operations has been widely used throughout history, from World War II to the Vietnam War, Martinez noted. “We analyze different audiences of people and how they think and behave,” said Martinez. “This allows us to influence them in favor of the commander’s objective or intent.” Once PSYOP Marines understand the audience, they can influence them through leaflets, posters, pamphlets or different types of media depending on how the audience receives their information, said Martinez. PSYOP Marines also employ a loudspeaker to disseminate messages to large groups of people, which is widely used during humanitarian assistance.

Martinez wants to continue his career in the military with goals to commission as an officer. For those who have goals to join the Marine Corps and become a PSYOP Marine, Martinez advised, “Be adaptable and able to expand your mind so that you are able to learn and understand other people and cultures.”

• Date Taken: 12.21.2020
• Date Posted: 12.22.2020 20:09
• Story ID: 385576
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP