PENSACOLA, FL. – A 1982 Goodletsville High School graduate and Goodlettsville, Tennessee, native is serving at the Navy’s premier and largest aviation training center.
Capt. Chris Martin serves as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.A Navy installation commanding officer is responsible for providing support to tenant commands.
“You can equate this job to being the mayor of a small city,” said Martin. “I make sure the tenants have the resources and infrastructure to meet their mission while ensuring that military families and retirees have good base services to improve their quality of life."
Martin credits values he learned in Goodlettsville to his success in the Navy.
“I grew up farming and learned about hard work at an early age," said Martin. "I also learned about staying humble.”
NAS Pensacola, “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” is best known as the initial primary training base for all U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officers pursuing designations as Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers.
It takes a lot of manpower to support and train pilots, but there is much more to this base that employs 16,000 military and 7,400 civilians. This includes major tenant commands: Naval Aviation Schools Command, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and 23, the Blue Angels, and the headquarters for Naval Education Training Command (NETC), a command which combines direction and control of all Navy education and training.
As the premier naval installation in the Department of the Navy (DoN) NAS Pensacola provides base and operational support functions such as quality of life, administration, logistics, facilities, comptroller, management administration and operations (airfield, port, security, fire and search and rescue).
“I’m so proud of the entire team throughout our aviation enterprise,” said Martin. “The future of Naval Air Station Pensacola is bright, and we’re only going to continue to adapt and evolve as we prepare to efficiently deliver the very best readiness from the shore.”
“As sailors forged by the sea, we will continue to be the Navy the Nation Needs. One of the Chief of Naval Operation’s Lines of Effort is what we do best, strengthening our Navy team for the future,” said Martin.
Martin has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My dad was a World War II veteran,” said Martin.
Martin said he was proud of leading an installation with high morale and commitment to the Navy.
“This command was recently awarded the retention award for the first time in seven years,” said Martin.
Pensacola stands up to the expectations and provides a perfect environment for the workers and their families. The citizens benefit from all the modern world advantages, from schools and hospitals to recreational areas, theaters, cinemas and multiple services.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Martin and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I enlisted when I was 19 and am retiring next year with 31 years of service," Martin added. "It's all been about service. When you get to my position it's about service and being in a position to change things for the better.”