LT Douglas E. Martin was born in La Jolla, CA and raised in Kansas City, MO.  After graduating from Rockhurst High School in 1996 he attended the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 2000. 

While at the Academy, LT Martin was a four-year member of the Varsity Football team, a two year starter and letter winner as a long snapper.  In the second semester of his senior year he also started as a Prop on the Academy’s A-side Rugby team and selected Naval Aviation as his warfare designation.  LT Martin graduated from the Naval Academy in May of 2000 with a B.S. in Economics. While at the Academy he was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.

LT Martin reported to API at NAS Pensacola in December of 2000. After completing API in Feb. of 2001, he joined VT-10 to begin his primary flight training in the T-34 Mentor. Upon completion of his training in the T-34, he selected Maritime Patrol Aviation and began advanced training with The 562^nd FTS in San Antonio, TX.  LT Martin completed his advance NFO training on 01 FEB 2002, earning him his Wings of Gold.

LT Martin subsequently reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron in Jaxsonville, FL with VP-30 to begin training in the P-3 Orion.  In August of 2002 LT Martin, completed his FRS instruction, designating him as a Patrol Plane Navigator and selected to complete his first junior officer tour with the VP-46 Grey Knights in Whidbey Island, WA. 

While attached to VP-46, LT Martin held the positions of BULL, CMS Officer, NFO Tactics Officer, and NFO Training Officer.  He qualified as the Blue Card Navigator, Patrol Plane Tactical Coordinator, Mission Commander and Instructor TACCO; he also saw combat action in two deployments.  The first deployment was to the FIFTH Fleet AOR as a member of Wing TEN’s Combat Aircrew of the Year, CAC-2 participating in Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  The second deployment was to the SEVENTH Fleet AOR participating in a historic real world ASW prosecution and OEF PhilippinES.  During his 36-month tour with VP-46 he was awarded the Naval Air Medal (First Strike Award), the Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat “V”), the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

In September of 2005 LT Martin was selected by RADM Al Myers to serve as the Flag LT for Commander, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (EISENHOWER Strike Group).  During this tour he conducted a nearly eight month deployment to the FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet AORs, and also served as the Assistant Combined Task Force 50 Liaison Officer at NAVCENT specializing in Theater Security Cooperation.