Star joined VFW Post 1503 in 2016 to continue to serve those with shared experiences in the military. She quickly gained the respect and trust of her comrades. Through her passionate involvement in the events at Post 1503, she was appointed as the Post Surgeon General. She was charged with chairing the post’s Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen programs that encourage academic excellence, annually awarding local students $4,000 to support their postsecondary education.   Since 2016 she has gone on to serve as post Judge Advocate, District 10 Chaplain, District 10 Quartermaster. She has served on the board for the past 7 years. In addition to her roles on the boards she currently serves as the social media co-chair, she helps to oversee and manage the post’s digital presence. She also supports the post facilities and worked on the electronic door card initiative to help modernize the building and allow for easier access. Star currently serves as the post Jr. Vice Commander.

Born to Mexican American parents, Hector and Martha Martinez, Star’s sense of duty and service was set in motion while growing up in San Diego, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Martinez made certain their six children’s values were rooted in family, faith, equality, loyalty, progress, and patriotism. The Martinez family values were an essential catalyst in Star’s life.

In school, she enjoyed competitively playing basketball and volleyball as a student athlete, while also excelling academically in chemistry and algebra. She jumped at the chance to champion her classmates at the student level by getting involved as a Class Officer. While in elementary school, Star was voted by her classmates to serve as a Class Officer in the role as Sergeant-At-Arms. This gave her an understanding of the importance of decorum and organizational order. She continued this service in varying Student Council representative posts in middle school and high school, leading to her classmates entrusting her to represent them as the student body President. This opportunity led to Star learning more about organization, planning, problem-solving, task management, and teamwork—all skills that would prove important to her life’s purpose.

Once she graduated from San Diego High School, Star knew she needed to explore the world and experience more out of life. However, she wasn’t entirely clear as to how this dream would unfold. A chance meeting with Army recruiters near her family’s home led to an enlistment as an Army Cargo Specialist (88H). After completing basic training at Fort Jackson and AIT at Fort Eustis, Star reached her first duty station at Fort Campbell, where she was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. She went on to serve as the BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) of the 372nd Transportation Company. She also earned her Air Assault Badge and was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) during this assignment.

While her Army career blossomed, Star’s life changed forever on September 11, 2001. As a Cargo Specialist, Star’s military training and skills proved to be essential. Within four months of the 9/11 attacks, she was forward deployed to Kandahar Airport in Afghanistan. During this time, she worked tirelessly for 12 hours shifts each day, seven days a week, to secure the Kandahar Airport for service members deploying for the war in Afghanistan. Six months later, she returned to Fort Campbell and then transitioned to the Army National Guard.

Once her time in the Guard was completed, she made the decision to return home to San Diego. Star quickly enrolled in an advanced undergraduate program at Park University, knowing she would continue to serve her country once she earned her bachelor’s degree. Star joined the Federal Service as a civilian intern in the Army’s Recent Graduates Program after graduating cum laude from Park University.

From there, she was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and then made the move overseas to USAG Yongsan South Korea. Soon after completing the Army’s Recent Graduates Program to become a permanent Federal Civilian employee, Star was promoted to the Army Housing Manager for GO/SES Housing.

After her tour at USAG Yongsan, Star returned stateside to work as a Facility Manager at the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington. It was there she found her purpose: advocating for and supporting veterans. She is currently working at a Federal Government agency as a Program Analyst in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

  

Star continues to exemplify the Martinez family ideals, as modeled by her parents throughout her life, as well as the values of the US Army. These experiences allow Star to be in service to those who wear the uniform, have worn the uniform, and the families who support them.