Grissom NCO named Military Achievement Award winner Published April 9, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Putting the spotlight on service members is one of the tenets of the Indianapolis Veteran's Day Council, and they turned that spotlight on of Grissom's Airmen recently. Tech. Sgt. Alex Martinez, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron medical logistics craftsman, was selected as an Indiana Military Achievement Award winner for his service at home and abroad. "I'm used to working behind the scenes," Martinez said in expressing his surprise for the award. "I'm grateful leadership sees what I do here." Martinez was in the regular Air Force for six years and has spent the last two at Grissom. During his career he deployed two times to Afghanistan. "My first deployment was part of a reach back program where I ensured medical supplies used to treat wounded members was replenished so needed items were on-hand for future needs," he said. "On my second tour I was a patient movement manager, helping wounded warriors as they transitioned out to Germany on their way back home." At Grissom his job is very similar. "What we medical logistics do is behind the scenes," he said. "We support the mission by ensuring supplies are on hand for the various specialties within the clinic. We also are responsible for maintaining war-readiness material stockpiles in case we need to forward deploy. In addition to being a traditional reservist, Martinez is a medical supply salesman. "I kind of close the loop between my civilian and military responsibilities," he said with a laugh. The Veterans Day Military Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have shown exemplary performance in their military careers. Martinez is one of two individuals from the 434th Air Refueling Wing to receive the award. As part of the honor, the Veterans Day Council invited Martinez to attend a formal awards banquet to receive a special token in front of dignitaries throughout the state. The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
