Colonel John Martin, a Northfield, Vermont native, retires after 30 years in the Air Force

Latham, NY (10/08/2024) — Air Force Colonel John Martin, a Malta resident and Northfield native, retired after being assigned to the New York National Guard as the inspector general, on Friday, October 4th, during a ceremony at the New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham, New York.

Martin who grew up in Northfield, Vermont was commissioned in 1994 through the United States Air Force Officer Training School.

"The best part of serving has been the strong sense of family I have had my entire military career," Martin emphasized.

"Selflessness and commitment, I've learned through the years from other service members. I am filled with gratitude that I have worked with the finest professionals," Martin said.

He also thanked his wife Rebecca and children Eli, Joseph and Racheal, for their support throughout his military career.

Martin's final position in the Air Force was as the command inspector general for the New York National Guard, where he served for four years.

In this capacity, he was responsible for all inspectors' general activities for the 17,000-member strong New York National Guard. Inspector generals ensure that training and equipment meet military standards. They also investigate issues involving morale and readiness.

Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised Martin as a "consummate professional, quiet, calm and steady."

"Col. Martin and his team have managed every case with dignity, respect, and professionalism," Shields said.

Martin is a logistics readiness officer and has held various stateside and overseas positions. These included supply/fuels officer, executive officer, aircraft maintenance officer, logistics readiness officer, combatant command joint petroleum officer, NATO staff officer, inspector general, and deployed logistics director.

Martin previously commanded the Defense Logistics Agency Energy in Alaska, where his team managed an array of energy products valued at over 4 billion dollars.

He also commanded Detachment 2, 607th Materiel Maintenance Squadron, at Suwon Air Base in the Republic of Korea, where he was responsible for maintenance and readiness assurance of $1 billion of War Reserve Materiel.

Martin has served many overseas deployments, including those in Germany as well as the Republic of Korea. In his most recent overseas deployment in Kuwait, he was assigned as a logistics director.

In his remarks, Martin said the missions were awesome the planes were cool, but it was the people who made my career.

Martin will continue working for the New York National Guard as a civilian, serving as the Joint Resilience Director, helping people and managing a statewide team to assist commanders, Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees in dealing with personal challenges.

Martins's awards include The Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Martin graduated from Northfield High School and the Vermont Technical College and worked throughout school at the Ellie's Farm Market in Northfield.

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