Gregg F. Martin

Last updated

Gregg F. Martin
Gregg F. Martin (5).jpg
Portrait of MG Martin, 2012
Birth nameGregg Forrest Martin
Born (1956-07-16) July 16, 1956 (age 67)
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1979–2014
Rank Major general
Alma mater
Spouse(s)Maggie Ryan
Children3

Gregg Forrest Martin (born July 16, 1956) is a United States Army two-star general who retired as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Engineers in 2014. From July 2012 to July 2014 he was the President of the National Defense University at Fort McNair Army Base in Washington, D.C. and from July 2010 to July 2012 he served as the Commandant of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. [1] [2] He served as second in command for 3rd Army/US Army Central in the Central Command Area of Responsibility, including support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and across the CENTCOM region from January 2010 to April 2010 and he led a complex enterprise of four major schools that educated, trained and developed thousands of soldiers, marines, airmen, sailors and civilians for leadership roles in global operations as the Commanding General at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from October 2008 to January 2010. [3] After retiring from the military, General Martin revealed that he is a survivor of bipolar disorder in an effort to reduce the stigma of that condition. [4]

Contents

Early life

The son of a World War II sailor and native New Englander, he graduated from Holbrook High School in Holbrook, MA in 1974 and was an Army ROTC walk-on at the University of Maine. He graduated from West Point in 1979 and was commissioned as an Army Engineer. He married Maggie Ryan and has a family of three sons: Philip, Connor, and Pat.

Education

He graduated from the West Point, U.S. Military Academy (USMA), in 1979 and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Technology Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1988) where he would later earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Public Policy in 1992. [1]

Service career

As career Engineer Officer (20 years) in the US Army Martin served at Fort Belvoir, Fort Benning, Germany, Fort Lewis, Honduras, and Fort Leonard Wood as a combat and construction engineer. He first attended the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses at Fort Belvoir; continued his training at Ranger and Airborne School in Fort Benning; and began his career serving on the frontlines of the Cold War in 1979 as Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Project Engineer in Germany defending the free world from the Soviet Union. After his 6-year tour in Germany Martin continued his service at Fort Lewis as an Engineer Staff Officer with I Corps and the 864th Engineer Battalion. This was followed by a year of service in Honduras as the Engineer Staff Officer for the Joint Task Force Bravo and a two-year tour as a Commander of the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

From January 1995 to June 1997 Martin serve as the Instructor and Course Director of the Department of Social Sciences at West Point where he taught and developed courses on American Politics, International Relations, and the Politics of Defense Policy. From June 2000 to June 2002 he was the Instructor and Course Director of Senior Leadership and Command Instruction at the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA. He designed

From 2002 to June 2004 Martin served as the Commander of the 130th Engineer Brigade. He trained and deployed a 3-battalion 1700-soldier brigade from Germany to Kuwait, where the force joined the attack of Iraq, as an essential element of the initial assault on Baghdad. The Brigade received American and Allied units from around the world and expanded to more than 20 battalions and 13,000 troops, conducting full spectrum engineer operations across the breadth and depth of Iraq from 2003 to 2004.

Martin continued his service as the Deputy G3/5/7 of US Army Europe and 7th Army coordinating operations, planning, training, and international activities for US Army Forces in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (deployed force into Iraq and Afghanistan). From July 2005 to October 2007 he served as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division Commander and Division Engineer of a $2Bn program encompassing Military Construction, Civil Works, Environmental and Disaster Preparedness over a 14 state region. Martin was a Presidential appointee on the Mississippi River Commission and also took part in support efforts for Hurricane Katrina.

He led a complex enterprise of four major schools that educated, trained and developed thousands of soldiers, marines, airmen, sailors and civilians for leadership roles in global operations as the Commanding General at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from October 2008 to January 2010. [3] He served as second in command for 3rd Army/US Army Central in the Central Command Area of Responsibility, including support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and across the CENTCOM region from January 2010 to April 2010. [3] From July 2010 to June 2012 Martin presided as the Commandant of the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA and the President of the National Defense University from July 2012 to July 2014. He retired as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Engineers (Major General US Army Corps of Engineers) working towards the Corps' 2025 Future Posture, emphasizing national infrastructure development, optimizing value for Federal engineering and facilities construction.

Mental health advocacy

Major General Gregg Martin has become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness, drawing on his personal experiences with bipolar disorder to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with the condition. After a distinguished 36-year career in the United States Army, Martin's journey with undiagnosed mental illness culminated in a public battle that he has since turned into a platform for advocacy and education.

His book, "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness," provides an unvarnished account of his experiences, offering insights into the intersection of mental health and military service. The memoir shares Martin's story of resilience and perseverance, detailing his life as a combat engineer and two-star general while coping with and overcoming the challenges of bipolar disorder. His efforts have been noted in various articles and interviews, where he openly discusses the impact of mental illness on his life and career.

In a Florida Today article dated November 29, 2022, Martin recalls the day he was asked to resign from his post prior to his bipolar diagnosis, a moment that highlights the often unseen struggles of mental health in high-pressure environments. His story continues to be a testament to the complexities of mental health in the armed forces, as seen in his September 15, 2023, feature by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). The AUSA event focused on his book and his experiences, providing a platform for dialogue and understanding about mental health issues in the military community.

Additionally, Martin's narrative has been featured in Military Times on March 29, 2023, where he described bipolar disorder as both a curse and a blessing, reflecting on how it has shaped his perspectives on leadership and adversity. His advocacy efforts emphasize the importance of de-stigmatizing mental health conditions, particularly in the veteran and active-duty populations.

Martin's dedication to mental health advocacy is further exemplified through public speaking engagements and his presence in media. For instance, WBUR's coverage on May 24, 2021, reveals his mission to bring attention to bipolar disorder that ended his military career but also gave him a new purpose. Through his public discourse, he aims to inspire change, understanding, and provide support to others facing similar battles.

In essence, Major General Gregg Martin's advocacy transcends his military accolades, positioning him as a pivotal figure in the conversation on mental health. His contributions to raising awareness and supporting others with bipolar disorder underscore his commitment to service, both in uniform and beyond.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kay Redfield Jamison</span> American bipolar disorder researcher

Kay Redfield Jamison is an American clinical psychologist and writer. Her work has centered on bipolar disorder, which she has had since her early adulthood. She holds the post of the Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders and Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and is an Honorary Professor of English at the University of St Andrews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Shinseki</span> Retired United States Army four-star general, seventh United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Eric Ken Shinseki is a retired United States Army general who served as the seventh United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014) and the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army (1999–2003). Shinseki is a veteran of two tours of combat in the Vietnam War, in which he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for valor and two Purple Hearts. He was the first Asian-American four-star general, and the first Asian-American Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Edwin Fuller Torrey, is an American psychiatrist and schizophrenia researcher. He is associate director of research at the Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI) and founder of the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), a nonprofit organization whose principal activity is promoting the passage and implementation of outpatient commitment laws and civil commitment laws and standards in individual states that allow people diagnosed with severe mental illness to be involuntarily hospitalized and treated throughout the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick J. Kennedy</span> American politician (born 1967)

Patrick Joseph Kennedy II is an American retired politician and mental health advocate. From 1995 to 2011, he served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st congressional district, and was the first Generation X member of congress when he was elected in 1995. He is a former member of the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission and a co-founder of One Mind, a mental health nonprofit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon R. Sullivan</span> American general (1937–2024)

Gordon Russell Sullivan was a United States Army general, who served as the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Army and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sullivan also served as acting Secretary of the Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Preston</span> 13th Sergeant Major of the US Army

Kenneth O. Preston is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 15, 2004. Preston served 7 years and 2 months as Sergeant Major of the Army making him the longest serving Sergeant Major of the Army to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranald S. Mackenzie</span> Union army general (1840–1889)

Ranald Slidell Mackenzie, also called Bad Hand, was a career United States Army officer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was described by General Ulysses S. Grant as its most promising young officer. He also served with great distinction in the following Indian Wars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Fishback</span> American army officer (1979–2021)

Ian Fishback was a United States Army officer, who became known after he sent a letter to Senator John McCain of Arizona on September 16, 2005, in which Fishback stated his concerns about the continued abuse of prisoners held under the auspices of the Global War on Terror.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychiatric and mental health nursing in the United States Army</span>

Psychiatric and mental health nurses in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps employing groundbreaking protocols and treatments in psychiatric issues to address the unique challenges that our service men and women face, more commonly post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Most people understand that trauma exposure is a popular occupational hazard for military members. Psychiatric screenings, before and during their enlistment, and treatments after being exposed to warfare, death, destruction, and torture have been extremely beneficial for military personnel and their dependents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carter Ham</span> US Army General

Carter Frederick Ham is a retired United States Army General Officer who served as the second commander of United States Africa Command. As commander of Africa Command, he led Operation Odyssey Dawn, the initial United States role in the 2011 military intervention in Libya.

Albert Winsborough Yancey was an American professional golfer who won seven times on the PGA Tour and later played on the Senior PGA Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gale Pollock</span>

Gale S. Pollock is a retired United States Army major general who served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Army from October 2006 to March 2007, and also as chief of the Army Nurse Corps. She became acting Surgeon General of the United States Army for nine months following the 20 March 2007 retirement of her predecessor, Kevin C. Kiley, due to fallout from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center neglect scandal. She was the first woman and the first non-physician to hold the position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter W. Chiarelli</span> Retired United States Army general

Peter William Chiarelli is a retired United States Army general who served as the 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from August 4, 2008 to January 31, 2012. He also served as commander, Multi-National Corps – Iraq under General George W. Casey, Jr. He was the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from March 2007 to August 2008. He retired from the United States Army on January 31, 2012 after nearly 40 years of service, and was succeeded as Vice Chief of Staff by General Lloyd J. Austin III.

Military psychiatry covers special aspects of psychiatry and mental disorders within the military context. The aim of military psychiatry is to keep as many serving personnel as possible fit for duty and to treat those disabled by psychiatric conditions. Military psychiatry encompasses counseling individuals and families on a variety of life issues, often from the standpoint of life strategy counseling, as well as counseling for mental health issues, substance abuse prevention and substance abuse treatment; and where called for, medical treatment for biologically based mental illness, among other elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Hertling</span> United States Army general (born 1953)

Mark Phillip Hertling is a retired United States Army General. From March 2011 to November 2012, he served as the Commanding General of United States Army Europe and the Seventh Army. Hertling served in Armor, Cavalry, planning, operations and training positions, and commanded every organization from Platoon to Field Army. He commanded the 1st Armored Division and Task Force Iron/Multinational Division-North in Iraq during the troop surge of 2007 to 2008.

United States v. Hasan K. Akbar was the court-martial of a United States Army soldier for a premeditated attack in the early morning hours of March 23, 2003, at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait, during the start of the United States invasion of Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis D. Vavala</span> U.S. Army National Guard officer

General Francis D. Vavala is a retired Army National Guard officer who served as the Adjutant General of the State of Delaware. He received the promotion in February 1999 after the retirement of Major General George Hastings. In April 2017, Vavala was promoted to general in the Delaware Militia in honor of 50 years of service. He is the first Delaware National Guardsman to achieve four-star rank and one of the very few American service members to have risen from private to four-star general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph M. Martin</span> US Army general (born 1962)

Joseph Matthew Martin is a retired general in the United States Army who served as the 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as the director of the Army Staff in Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore D. Martin</span>

Theodore David Martin is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army who last served as the commanding general of the United States Army Combined Arms Center, commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and commanding general of Fort Leavenworth from May 2021 to October 2022. Before that, he served as the Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he previously served as its 73rd Commandant of Cadets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur J. Gregg</span> US Army general (born 1928)

Lieutenant General Arthur J. Gregg, (retired) became the first African American in the U.S. Army to reach the rank of lieutenant general on July 1, 1977. Previously, he was the first African American brigadier general in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps on October 1, 1972. He served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years with his final assignment as the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff (Logistics) and retired on July 24, 1981.

References

  1. 1 2 "Martin Becomes 14th National Defense University President". National Defense University. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. Cress, Joseph (July 21, 2010). "Homecoming: New commandant reports for duty". The Sentinel. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "General Officer Announcement dtd 20 August 2008 - General Officer Management Office". www.gomo.army.mil. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  4. Martin, G., 2022. How Bipolar Disorder Derailed My Life, and How I Fought Back. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/bipolar-general/202206/how-bipolar-disorder-derailed-my-life-and-how-i-fought-back> [Accessed 8 August 2022].