Gregory S. Martin
Encyclopedia
General
Gregory S. Martin (born April 24, 1948) was a U.S. Air Force general and Commander
, Air Force Materiel Command
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
, Ohio
. Martin was a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours in various aircraft, including the F-4
, F-15
, C-20 and C-21. Upon retirement in 2005, Martin took a position consulting for Northrop Grumman
and also served on an Air Force panel studying stealth aircraft technology, among other Pentagon and private industry roles.
, Bethesda, Maryland
, in 1966. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy
in 1970, where he was a 1969 National Collegiate Parachuting champion, he went on to fly 161 combat missions in South East Asia, and then went on to train other pilots. In 1977, he received Master’s degree in business management from Central Michigan University
. With this experience, he was tapped to command the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, then the 479th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, then the 33rd and 1st Fighter Wings. While earning several awards and decorations, among them the Distinguished Service Medal
, he went on to serve as Vice Director of the Joint Staff's Force Structure and Resources Directorate, Director of Operational Requirements for the U.S. Air Force, and Principal Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Before finally commanding Air Materiel Command, Martin served as the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Allied Air Forces Northern Europe.
In 2004, Martin was nominated to succeed Admiral Thomas B. Fargo
as combatant commander of U.S. Pacific Command, the first non-Navy nominee for this prestigious post. However, he suffered collateral damage from the Darleen Druyun
procurement scandal. During his October 6 confirmation hearing for the Pacific command post before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain
asked how Druyun's deceit had gone unnoticed. Martin, who had worked closely with Druyun in 1998-99 while he held the position of Principal Deputy in acquisition said in response "I'm not an expert in contracting," and "I saw nothing that she was doing that was inappropriate or in any way illegal." McCain replied, "Now I question whether you have the quality to command". McCain called the Boeing deal "a national disgrace", and vowed to hold Martin's nomination in the Senate Armed Services Committee "until we get all of the e-mails and all of the answers." Committee Chairman John W. Warner supported McCain, and Martin withdrew his name the same day. Prior to this setback, Martin had been considered the likely successor to Air Force Chief of Staff
John P. Jumper
.
' presidential campaign, is on the advisory board of a consultancy firm The Four Star
Group, is board member and retired chairman of the Durango Group, and has served in other Pentagon capacities and been a consultant to "many defense sector firms."
In 2010, the Boston Globe reported on the Northrop Grumman approach to Martin at his retirement in 2005 and the call "a few weeks later [from] the Pentagon, asking him to join a top-secret Air Force panel studying the future of stealth aircraft technology." Northrop Grumman is the manufacturer of the B-2 stealth bomber. Martin accepted the job offer and agreed to the service request. The article examined the claim that such dual retirement roles for Martin and other generals and admirals is "ethical and beneficial for America’s defense." Martin asserted it was. Seth Bonder, a fellow Pentagon panel member from the National Academy of Engineering
, though, had not been made aware of the general's industry role during the two-year study and "said disclosure of potential conflicts would be desirable."
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
Gregory S. Martin (born April 24, 1948) was a U.S. Air Force general and Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Martin was a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours in various aircraft, including the F-4
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, F-15
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, C-20 and C-21. Upon retirement in 2005, Martin took a position consulting for Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
and also served on an Air Force panel studying stealth aircraft technology, among other Pentagon and private industry roles.
Military career
Martin was born in Fort Myer, Virginia in 1948, and graduated from the Landon SchoolLandon School
The Landon School is a private, nonsectarian, college preparatory school for boys in grades 3-12, with an enrollment of approximately 675 students. The school sits on in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.-Background:...
, Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
, in 1966. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
in 1970, where he was a 1969 National Collegiate Parachuting champion, he went on to fly 161 combat missions in South East Asia, and then went on to train other pilots. In 1977, he received Master’s degree in business management from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
. With this experience, he was tapped to command the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, then the 479th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, then the 33rd and 1st Fighter Wings. While earning several awards and decorations, among them the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, he went on to serve as Vice Director of the Joint Staff's Force Structure and Resources Directorate, Director of Operational Requirements for the U.S. Air Force, and Principal Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Before finally commanding Air Materiel Command, Martin served as the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Allied Air Forces Northern Europe.
In 2004, Martin was nominated to succeed Admiral Thomas B. Fargo
Thomas B. Fargo
Admiral Thomas Boulton Fargo served in the United States Navy during the late 20th century and early 21st century. He served as Commander, United States Pacific Command, at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii from May 2, 2002 to February 26, 2005...
as combatant commander of U.S. Pacific Command, the first non-Navy nominee for this prestigious post. However, he suffered collateral damage from the Darleen Druyun
Darleen Druyun
Darleen A. Druyun is a former United States Air Force civilian official and Boeing executive.-Education:...
procurement scandal. During his October 6 confirmation hearing for the Pacific command post before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
asked how Druyun's deceit had gone unnoticed. Martin, who had worked closely with Druyun in 1998-99 while he held the position of Principal Deputy in acquisition said in response "I'm not an expert in contracting," and "I saw nothing that she was doing that was inappropriate or in any way illegal." McCain replied, "Now I question whether you have the quality to command". McCain called the Boeing deal "a national disgrace", and vowed to hold Martin's nomination in the Senate Armed Services Committee "until we get all of the e-mails and all of the answers." Committee Chairman John W. Warner supported McCain, and Martin withdrew his name the same day. Prior to this setback, Martin had been considered the likely successor to Air Force Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Air Force, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Air Force, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the...
John P. Jumper
John P. Jumper
John P. Jumper is a retired United States Air Force general, who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from September 6, 2001 to September 2, 2005. He retired from the Air Force on November 1, 2005. Jumper was succeeded as Chief of Staff by General T. Michael...
.
Post-military career
Martin retired from the Air Force on September 1, 2005. He is currently a chair of the National Academies Air Force Studies Board, has served as an advisor to John EdwardsJohn Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
' presidential campaign, is on the advisory board of a consultancy firm The Four Star
4 star rank
Four-star rank is a term used to describe a very senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO OF-9 code. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
Group, is board member and retired chairman of the Durango Group, and has served in other Pentagon capacities and been a consultant to "many defense sector firms."
In 2010, the Boston Globe reported on the Northrop Grumman approach to Martin at his retirement in 2005 and the call "a few weeks later [from] the Pentagon, asking him to join a top-secret Air Force panel studying the future of stealth aircraft technology." Northrop Grumman is the manufacturer of the B-2 stealth bomber. Martin accepted the job offer and agreed to the service request. The article examined the claim that such dual retirement roles for Martin and other generals and admirals is "ethical and beneficial for America’s defense." Martin asserted it was. Seth Bonder, a fellow Pentagon panel member from the National Academy of Engineering
National Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
, though, had not been made aware of the general's industry role during the two-year study and "said disclosure of potential conflicts would be desirable."
Education
- 1970 Bachelor of Science degree, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 1974 Squadron Officer SchoolSquadron Officer SchoolSquadron Officer School , is a five-week long Professional Military Education course for U.S. Air Force Captains. It fulfills the U.S. Air Force's requirement for primary developmental education . SOS is based at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and the in-residence version of the course is taught there...
, Maxwell AFB, Alabama - 1977 Master's degree in business management, Central Michigan University
- 1978 Air Command and Staff CollegeAir Command and Staff CollegeThe Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
, by correspondence - 1979 National Security Management, by correspondence
- 1986 National War CollegeNational War CollegeThe National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
, Fort Lesley J. McNairFort Lesley J. McNairFort Lesley J. McNair is a United States Army post located on the tip of a peninsula that lies at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. To its west is the Washington Channel, while the Anacostia River is on its south side...
, Washington, D.C. - 1987 Seminar XXI - Foreign Political and International Relations, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
- 1991 Advanced Management Program, Duke UniversityDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, Durham, North Carolina
Assignments
- August 1970 - August 1971, student, undergraduate pilot training, Laredo AFB, Texas
- August 1971 - May 1972, student, F-4 replacement training, George AFB, California
- May 1972 - October 1972, F-4 aircraft commander, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force BaseKorat Royal Thai Air Force BaseKorat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. It is located in northeast Thailand, located approximately 157 miles northeast of Bangkok and about 5 miles south of Nakhon Ratchasima , the second largest city in Thailand.During the Vietnam War, Korat RTAFB was the...
, Thailand - October 1972 - June 1973, F-4 flight leader, 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udon Royal Thai AFBUdon Thani International AirportUdonthani International Airport is an airport located near the city of Udon Thani in Udon Thani Province in the northeast region of Thailand. It is approximately 280 miles northeast of Bangkok...
, Thailand - June 1973 - June 1976, F-4 instructor pilot, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
- June 1976 - July 1977, assignment officer, Air Staff Training Program, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1977 - August 1978, aide to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- August 1978 - October 1981, F-15 instructor pilot and flight commander, 461st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona
- October 1981 - August 1985, Chief of Wing Training, 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron, later, operations officer, later, Commander, 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air BaseKadena Air Base, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Japan - August 1985 - June 1986, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- June 1986 - July 1988, Chief, Continental U.S. Bases and Units Division, later, Chief of Tactical Programs for the Air Staff's Directorate of Programs and Resources, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1988 - July 1989, Vice Commander, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
- July 1989 - August 1990, executive officer to the Commander, later, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Headquarters Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, Langley AFB, Virginia - August 1990 - August 1991, Commander, 479th Tactical Training Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
- August 1991 - June 1993, Commander, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida
- June 1993 - May 1995, Commander, 1st Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Virginia
- May 1995 - July 1996, Deputy Director, later, Vice Director, Force Structure and Resources, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
- July 1996 - January 1997, Director of Operational Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- January 1997 - July 1998, Director of Operational Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1998 - January 2000, Principal Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
- January 2000 - March 2000, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe; and Air Force Component Commander, U.S. European Command, Ramstein Air BaseRamstein Air BaseRamstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. It serves as headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation...
, Germany - March 2000 - August 2003, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Allied Air Forces Northern Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany
- August 2003 - August 2005, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Flight information
- Rating: Command pilot, master parachutist
- Flight hours: More than 4,600
- Aircraft flown: F-4F-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, F-15F-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, C-20 and C-21
Major awards and decorations
Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three oak leaf clusters
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 11 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal- Medal of Commander of Order and Valor (Cameroon)
- Medal of MeritDecoration of MeritThe Decoration of Merit is an important military decoration for bravery in the Netherlands The medal was established by the Dutch minister of defence Wim van Eekelen on 16 April 1987...
, Gold (Netherlands) 
Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(France)- Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech RepublicCross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech RepublicThe Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic was established on 16 December 1996. The decoration is presented in three classes, and is the highest award bestowed by the Minister of Defence.-Criteria:...
, First Class - NATO Meritorious Service Medal
Other achievements
- 1969 National Collegiate Parachuting Champion
- 2002 Honorary Doctorate, University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland, College ParkThe University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
- 2003 Air Force Order of the Sword, U.S. Air Forces in Europe
Effective dates of promotion
- Second Lieutenant June 3, 1970
- First Lieutenant December 3, 1971
- Captain December 3, 1973
- Major September 1, 1979
- Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 1982
- Colonel December 1, 1986
- Brigadier General July 1, 1993
- Major General July 1, 1996
- Lieutenant General July 27, 1998
- General June 1, 2000