Chief Master Sgt. Richard Martinez Senior Enlisted Advisor, Army & Air Force Exchange Service

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Martinez is the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange), at the organization’s headquarters in Dallas.

The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense. Established in 1895, the Exchange is the 51st-largest retail organization in the U.S. With annual revenues of $8.5 billion, the Exchange employs approximately 25,000 associates, including military personnel. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value to the military community.

The Exchange operates more than 5,000 facilities, including department, convenience and military clothing stores, restaurants, malls, movie theaters, gas stations and other specialty retail services on military installations. The Exchange’s operations span the Nation, four U.S. territories and more than 30 countries. Additionally, the Exchange Credit Program manages a $2.2 billion credit card receivables portfolio.

A major employer of Veterans and military spouses, the Exchange has hired more than 2,100 Wounded Warriors since 2010 and 65,000 Veterans and military spouses since 2013.

Martinez serves as the focal point for communications between Exchange leadership and Army, Air Force and Space Force active duty, Guard, Reserve, family members, veterans, retired patrons and DoD civilians. He travels to Army, Air Force and Space Force installations worldwide to present updates on Exchange activities and provides feedback on issues affecting customers.

Martinez is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He enlisted in the Air Force in February 1998, graduating from Secure Communication Systems Maintenance Training at Lackland Air Force Base in September 1998.

Martinez earned a Master of Business Administration in leadership from Liberty University, Virginia; an associate degree in applied science, instructor of technology and military science from Community College of the Air Force, Alabama; a Bachelor of Science in management/computer information systems from Park University, Missouri; and an associate degree in applied science, electronic systems technology from Community College of the Air Force, Alabama.

His background includes various duties in the communications career field. He also served as a Professional Military Education Instructor, teaching both Airman Leadership School and Noncommissioned Officer School. His past assignments include bases in Utah, Kuwait, Texas, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Virginia, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona and Florida. Before coming to the Exchange, he served as the Joint Communications Support Element Air Force Senior Enlisted Advisor at Luke Air Force Base. He assumed his role at the Exchange in June 2024.

He deployed in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait in 1999 and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in 2002. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Air Force Achievement Medal.