BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — In a periodic series detailing where alumni of Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) institutions have made their mark following competition in the sport of water polo, the league turns its attention to the story of United States Military Academy graduate General Joseph M. Martin ’86, the 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.
Appointed Vice Chief of Staff on July 26, 2019, Martin graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986. During his time in West Point, he competed on the men’s water polo team and served as co-captain during his senior year with classmate Lt. General Eric J. Wesley ’86.
A native of Dearborn, Michigan and the son of a Ford Motor Company executive, Martin graduated from Dearborn High School in 1981. In addition, he holds a master’s degree from the University of Louisville, and graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.
Upon graduation from West Point, Martin was commissioned as an armor officer. He has served in a variety of troop assignments. From 1987 to 1990, he served as a tank platoon leader, scout platoon leader, and company executive officer in the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
Upon graduation from the Armor Officer Advanced Course, Martin was assigned to 4th Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Company B during Operation Desert Storm and at Fort Riley, Kansas. He then commanded the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Ba’Qubah, Iraq and at Fort Hood, Texas. Martin commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas, and deployed with that command to serve in northwest Baghdad, Iraq.
Following brigade command, he became the chief of staff of III Corps in Fort Hood, Texas. From June 2012 to April 2013, Martin commanded the U.S. Army Operational Test Command. Martin served as deputy commanding general (Maneuver) for 1st Cavalry Division, commanding general of National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, and commanding general of 1st Infantry Division, where he deployed and commanded the Combined Joint Force Land Component Command in Operation Inherent Resolve.
Martin’s key staff assignments have included observer controller, Fort Irwin, California, instructor/writer and aide to the commanding general at the U.S. Armor Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He also served as a battalion operations officer, aide to the III Corps commanding general and brigade operations Officer at Fort Hood, Texas. Additionally, Martin served as the armor branch chief and chief of the Maneuver, Fires and Effects Division, at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Virginia. He also served as the Initiatives Group director for the commander, U.S. Forces Iraq and U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Martin’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device. He also earned the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
