1 00:00:00,170 --> 00:00:02,170 All right , good morning , family , 2 00:00:02,170 --> 00:00:04,226 friends , and distinguished guests . 3 00:00:04,226 --> 00:00:06,337 Welcome to Air Force ROTSy Detachment 4 00:00:06,337 --> 00:00:08,392 825's commissioning ceremony for the 5 00:00:08,392 --> 00:00:10,760 winter 2025 . My name is Captain David 6 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,816 Alman , and I will be your master of 7 00:00:12,816 --> 00:00:14,859 ceremonies today . At this time , 8 00:00:14,989 --> 00:00:17,211 please silence all electronic devices . 9 00:00:17,260 --> 00:00:19,427 You are welcome and encouraged to take 10 00:00:19,427 --> 00:00:21,260 photos throughout the ceremony . 11 00:00:25,030 --> 00:00:27,590 Today we gather to celebrate a defining 12 00:00:27,590 --> 00:00:29,701 moment in the life of one exceptional 13 00:00:29,701 --> 00:00:31,909 cadet , Cadet Qimo Martinez , as he 14 00:00:31,909 --> 00:00:33,520 takes the oath of office and 15 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:35,687 commissions as a 2nd lieutenant in the 16 00:00:35,687 --> 00:00:37,909 United States Space Force . While today 17 00:00:37,909 --> 00:00:39,965 marks an important milestone for 2nd 18 00:00:39,965 --> 00:00:41,909 Lieutenant Martinez , it is also a 19 00:00:41,909 --> 00:00:43,742 moment to recognize the family , 20 00:00:43,742 --> 00:00:46,069 friends , mentors , and cadre whose 21 00:00:46,069 --> 00:00:47,990 unwavering support made this 22 00:00:47,990 --> 00:00:50,020 achievement possible . Your 23 00:00:50,020 --> 00:00:52,740 encouragement , sacrifices , and belief 24 00:00:52,740 --> 00:00:54,990 in him have played an essential role in 25 00:00:54,990 --> 00:00:57,959 bringing us here today . It is my 26 00:00:57,959 --> 00:00:59,959 distinct honor to introduce today's 27 00:00:59,959 --> 00:01:02,181 guest speaker , Colonel Cato Martinez , 28 00:01:02,181 --> 00:01:04,070 United States Air Force retired . 29 00:01:04,830 --> 00:01:07,370 Colonel Martinez served nearly 29 years 30 00:01:07,519 --> 00:01:09,352 in the United States Air Force , 31 00:01:09,352 --> 00:01:11,352 beginning his career as an enlisted 32 00:01:11,352 --> 00:01:13,686 airman before commissioning through RTI . 33 00:01:13,686 --> 00:01:15,830 Medically retired for combat wounds , 34 00:01:16,050 --> 00:01:18,050 he last served as the Chief of Gold 35 00:01:18,050 --> 00:01:20,239 Star Family Program at the Air Force 36 00:01:20,239 --> 00:01:23,169 Personnel Center . His distinguished 37 00:01:23,169 --> 00:01:25,169 career includes leadership roles at 38 00:01:25,169 --> 00:01:27,830 every level of command , service as a 39 00:01:27,830 --> 00:01:30,180 US military assistant to a four-star 40 00:01:30,180 --> 00:01:32,180 NATO commander , multiple combat 41 00:01:32,180 --> 00:01:34,660 deployments , and numerous awards 42 00:01:34,660 --> 00:01:36,604 including the Purple Heart and the 43 00:01:36,604 --> 00:01:38,716 Legion of Merit . Beyond his military 44 00:01:38,716 --> 00:01:40,493 service , Colonel Martinez is a 45 00:01:40,493 --> 00:01:42,549 nationally recognized resiliency and 46 00:01:42,549 --> 00:01:44,604 mental health advocate , sharing his 47 00:01:44,604 --> 00:01:46,771 family's story to help others navigate 48 00:01:46,771 --> 00:01:49,050 hardship , loss , and recovery . Ladies 49 00:01:49,050 --> 00:01:51,349 and gentlemen , please help me welcome 50 00:01:51,949 --> 00:01:53,410 Colonel Cato Martinez . 51 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,230 Good morning . Forgive me if I take a 52 00:02:02,230 --> 00:02:04,669 little moment . I have to try and 53 00:02:04,669 --> 00:02:08,210 compose myself . This not only 54 00:02:08,210 --> 00:02:11,160 marks the completion of a long journey 55 00:02:11,369 --> 00:02:13,820 for chemo , but for the rest of us . 56 00:02:15,410 --> 00:02:18,220 Today is a promise fulfilled . And it's 57 00:02:18,220 --> 00:02:20,109 only fitting that he graduates in 58 00:02:20,109 --> 00:02:23,410 commissions right before Christmas . It 59 00:02:23,410 --> 00:02:25,188 was my wife's favorite season . 60 00:02:25,710 --> 00:02:28,500 Favorite time of the year . So today 61 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:32,399 would be her Christmas gift . Thank you 62 00:02:32,399 --> 00:02:35,559 to the detachment 825 , Captain Allman , 63 00:02:36,029 --> 00:02:37,973 and all the cadets for making this 64 00:02:37,973 --> 00:02:41,580 happen . A lot of people had a hand in 65 00:02:41,580 --> 00:02:44,419 making this happen . Not just myself , 66 00:02:44,759 --> 00:02:46,092 not just his siblings . 67 00:02:48,770 --> 00:02:51,820 But a whole village And today I'm proud 68 00:02:52,509 --> 00:02:54,565 to commission my son into the United 69 00:02:54,565 --> 00:02:56,398 States Space Force . Excuse me . 70 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,889 Chemo , let's do this . All right , 71 00:03:02,970 --> 00:03:05,137 thank you , Colonel Martinez for those 72 00:03:05,137 --> 00:03:07,359 powerful and meaningful words . We will 73 00:03:07,359 --> 00:03:09,470 now proceed with the commissioning of 74 00:03:09,470 --> 00:03:11,637 Cadet Qimo Martinez . Cadet Martinez , 75 00:03:11,637 --> 00:03:13,914 Colonel Martinez , please come forward . 76 00:03:13,914 --> 00:03:15,970 Colonel Martinez will now administer 77 00:03:16,169 --> 00:03:18,280 the oath of office . Raise your right 78 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:22,070 hand . Repeat after me . I state your 79 00:03:22,070 --> 00:03:23,990 name . I , Qimo Milano Martinez , 80 00:03:24,110 --> 00:03:26,388 having been appointed a 2nd lieutenant , 81 00:03:26,388 --> 00:03:28,554 having been appointed a 2nd lieutenant 82 00:03:28,554 --> 00:03:30,777 in the United States Air Force , in the 83 00:03:30,777 --> 00:03:32,888 United States Air Force . Do solemnly 84 00:03:32,888 --> 00:03:34,943 swear , do solemnly swear to support 85 00:03:34,943 --> 00:03:34,789 and defend , to support and defend the 86 00:03:34,789 --> 00:03:37,011 Constitution of the United States , the 87 00:03:37,011 --> 00:03:38,900 Constitution of the United States 88 00:03:38,900 --> 00:03:40,789 against all enemies , against all 89 00:03:40,789 --> 00:03:42,622 enemies , foreign and domestic , 90 00:03:42,622 --> 00:03:44,789 foreign and domestic , and I will bear 91 00:03:44,789 --> 00:03:44,669 true faith . I will bear true faith and 92 00:03:44,669 --> 00:03:46,891 allegiance to the same , and allegiance 93 00:03:46,891 --> 00:03:48,613 to the same , that I take this 94 00:03:48,613 --> 00:03:50,669 obligation freely , that I take this 95 00:03:50,669 --> 00:03:52,725 obligation freely without any mental 96 00:03:52,725 --> 00:03:52,149 reservation , without any mental 97 00:03:52,149 --> 00:03:54,205 reservation or purpose of evasion or 98 00:03:54,205 --> 00:03:56,260 purpose of evasion , and that I will 99 00:03:56,260 --> 00:03:58,371 well and faithfully , and that I will 100 00:03:58,371 --> 00:04:00,371 well and faithfully . Discharge the 101 00:04:00,371 --> 00:04:02,427 duties of the office . Discharge the 102 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:04,371 duties of the office on which I am 103 00:04:04,371 --> 00:04:04,119 about to enter , upon which I am about 104 00:04:04,119 --> 00:04:06,286 to enter . So help me God . So help me 105 00:04:06,286 --> 00:04:07,286 God . 106 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,579 Thank you , Colonel Martinez . At this 107 00:04:19,579 --> 00:04:21,746 time , 2nd Lieutenant Martinez's ranks 108 00:04:21,746 --> 00:04:24,369 will be pinned on . I invite his wife 109 00:04:24,369 --> 00:04:27,040 Stephanie Martinez and his sisters Kawi 110 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:31,010 Kani , Noi , and Kai Martinez to 111 00:04:31,010 --> 00:04:33,010 come forward and pin on his ranks . 112 00:04:38,410 --> 00:04:40,577 So the hat . Do you guys have my hat ? 113 00:04:41,410 --> 00:04:43,410 Not yet . Not after you get daddy a 114 00:04:43,410 --> 00:04:44,410 Diet Coke . 115 00:04:49,329 --> 00:04:51,970 All right , thank you guys . OK . 116 00:04:54,619 --> 00:04:56,730 Ladies and gentlemen , please join me 117 00:04:56,730 --> 00:04:58,841 in congratulating 2nd Lieutenant Kemo 118 00:04:59,130 --> 00:04:59,859 Martinez . 119 00:05:04,559 --> 00:05:07,769 Awesome . Alright , I just wanna thank , 120 00:05:07,929 --> 00:05:10,059 uh , everyone that's here , um , 121 00:05:10,529 --> 00:05:12,529 Captain Oman , Tex Sergeant James , 122 00:05:12,529 --> 00:05:14,529 firstly , uh , the stress I put you 123 00:05:14,529 --> 00:05:16,585 guys through throughout all my years 124 00:05:16,585 --> 00:05:18,585 being here . Thank you for being an 125 00:05:18,585 --> 00:05:18,529 inspiration , being a mentor while I 126 00:05:18,529 --> 00:05:20,751 was here at the detachment , helping me 127 00:05:20,751 --> 00:05:22,918 develop as a cadet , helping me put on 128 00:05:22,918 --> 00:05:25,140 the path towards the Space Force , uh , 129 00:05:25,140 --> 00:05:27,196 and any issues I have , you guys are 130 00:05:27,196 --> 00:05:29,307 able to help me all the way through . 131 00:05:29,307 --> 00:05:28,690 Thank you so much , uh , throughout 132 00:05:28,690 --> 00:05:30,579 that time here for the family and 133 00:05:30,579 --> 00:05:32,857 friends that are here , for the family . 134 00:05:32,857 --> 00:05:35,079 Auntie Mary , Uncle Ray , you guys were 135 00:05:35,079 --> 00:05:37,412 able to take care of us when we got hit , 136 00:05:37,412 --> 00:05:39,579 moving into your house , um , you guys 137 00:05:39,579 --> 00:05:41,746 watching after us . You guys showed us 138 00:05:41,746 --> 00:05:44,023 what military family really meant , um , 139 00:05:44,023 --> 00:05:46,246 take care of another family , uh , when 140 00:05:46,246 --> 00:05:46,190 we're at our lowest . So thank you , 141 00:05:46,359 --> 00:05:49,519 thank you , Auntie . Uh , to my friends , 142 00:05:49,679 --> 00:05:51,846 right , the ones that are able to make 143 00:05:51,846 --> 00:05:54,068 it , thank you for sparing this time to 144 00:05:54,068 --> 00:05:56,012 help out , uh , this commissioning 145 00:05:56,012 --> 00:05:58,235 ceremony , uh , and being here for me . 146 00:05:58,235 --> 00:06:00,346 Uh , hopefully I had an impact on you 147 00:06:00,346 --> 00:06:02,623 guys as much as everyone else did , uh , 148 00:06:02,623 --> 00:06:04,623 here , and hopefully I can continue 149 00:06:04,623 --> 00:06:04,279 that relationship and anything you guys 150 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:06,350 you need , senior throughout high 151 00:06:06,350 --> 00:06:08,517 school , you're able to be my mentor , 152 00:06:08,517 --> 00:06:10,517 um , especially when I was lowest , 153 00:06:10,517 --> 00:06:12,683 especially when I need the most help , 154 00:06:12,683 --> 00:06:14,850 you're able to , you were able to help 155 00:06:14,850 --> 00:06:17,017 build the man you see here today . But 156 00:06:17,017 --> 00:06:16,959 it's gray stripe , it's black stripe , 157 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,431 um , and that's silver eagle moment , 158 00:06:19,679 --> 00:06:22,940 um , and to everyone else just . Thank 159 00:06:22,940 --> 00:06:25,420 you . Right , that , that mentorship , 160 00:06:25,619 --> 00:06:27,563 the connections that you made , it 161 00:06:27,563 --> 00:06:29,508 means family now , and that family 162 00:06:29,508 --> 00:06:31,286 doesn't mean , uh , something , 163 00:06:31,286 --> 00:06:33,452 something very low . It means a lot to 164 00:06:33,452 --> 00:06:35,563 me . So thank you so much for helping 165 00:06:35,563 --> 00:06:37,675 me get to this moment and hopefully I 166 00:06:37,675 --> 00:06:39,675 can , uh , make you guys proud even 167 00:06:39,675 --> 00:06:38,100 more . 168 00:06:44,890 --> 00:06:47,112 All right , before we conduct the first 169 00:06:47,112 --> 00:06:48,946 salute , I would like to briefly 170 00:06:48,946 --> 00:06:51,001 explain its significance . The first 171 00:06:51,001 --> 00:06:52,946 salute is a long-standing military 172 00:06:52,946 --> 00:06:55,112 tradition symbolizing the mutual trust 173 00:06:55,112 --> 00:06:56,890 and respect between officer and 174 00:06:56,890 --> 00:06:58,501 enlisted members . The newly 175 00:06:58,501 --> 00:07:00,668 commissioned officer presents a silver 176 00:07:00,668 --> 00:07:02,446 dollar to the enlisted member , 177 00:07:02,446 --> 00:07:04,168 rendering their first salute , 178 00:07:04,168 --> 00:07:06,390 symbolizing the acceptance of authority 179 00:07:06,390 --> 00:07:08,223 they have not yet earned and the 180 00:07:08,223 --> 00:07:10,223 responsibility they now assume . At 181 00:07:10,223 --> 00:07:12,168 this time , I invite Senior Master 182 00:07:12,168 --> 00:07:14,223 Sergeant James Henry , United States 183 00:07:14,223 --> 00:07:16,446 Air Force retired , to come forward and 184 00:07:16,446 --> 00:07:16,390 render 2nd Lieutenant Martinez his 185 00:07:16,390 --> 00:07:17,410 first salute . 186 00:07:23,290 --> 00:07:25,799 Thank you , sir . Right . 187 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,262 Congratulations , Lieutenant Martinez . 188 00:07:37,489 --> 00:07:39,545 Ladies and gentlemen , I am proud to 189 00:07:39,545 --> 00:07:41,790 present to you the Air Force RATTI 190 00:07:41,790 --> 00:07:44,609 Detachment 825 Winter commissioning 191 00:07:44,609 --> 00:07:47,079 2025 class , Second Lieutenant Qimo 192 00:07:47,079 --> 00:07:49,470 Martinez , United States Space Force . 193 00:07:58,690 --> 00:08:00,912 This concludes our formal commissioning 194 00:08:00,912 --> 00:08:02,912 ceremony on behalf of the Air Force 195 00:08:02,912 --> 00:08:04,968 ROTSI Detachment 825 . Thank you for 196 00:08:04,968 --> 00:08:06,746 joining us here on the field to 197 00:08:06,746 --> 00:08:08,912 celebrate this historic and meaningful 198 00:08:08,912 --> 00:08:11,134 occasion . Please remain afterwards for 199 00:08:11,134 --> 00:08:10,200 photographs and personal 200 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:11,059 congratulations .