Actor and U.S. Army veteran J.R. Martinez explains why authenticity and pure intentions are crucial in supporting our veterans.
Can you share with us the most impactful moment from your military service and how it has shaped you?
Military service, like any organization, is made up of real people. Within it, you’ll encounter leaders who inspire, empower, and make you feel like an integral part of the team, fostering a culture of inclusivity and support. But, as in any organization, there are also leaders who fall short of the title.
I joined the Army at 19, with only six months of experience — three of which were spent in basic training — when I was deployed to Iraq. With no combat experience and minimal training, I relied heavily on my unit for guidance. In those early days, I often found myself in briefings, struggling to understand combat tactics. I asked many questions, hoping to grasp what was being taught. However, one leader grew increasingly irritated by my inquiries, making me feel like a burden. It reached a point where I dreaded going to work each day. I counted down the days until the end of my deployment and my three-year commitment, ready to leave it all behind.
That all changed during one particular briefing. A different leader spoke passionately about service and purpose. He made me feel valued, even as a private. His words and approach shifted my perspective entirely. Suddenly, I began to see my time in the military in a new light, and I started to consider the possibility of a long-term career — maybe even 20 years.
This experience taught me a profound lesson about leadership. The wrong leader can diminish your potential, while the right one can open your eyes to possibilities you never imagined. It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about the importance of effective leadership today.
As a motivational speaker, you’ve traveled extensively to share your story. What inspired you to use your experiences to motivate and inspire others, especially veterans?
Although my time on active duty was brief, it introduced me to a powerful concept: service. At 19, stationed in the desert and unsure of my role in the conflict, I felt lost. Then one day, a leader spoke about the importance of every individual’s contribution, regardless of rank. He emphasized the value each of us brought to the table. That simple concept transformed my approach to military service. Suddenly, I had a sense of purpose. I went from counting down the days until my three-year commitment ended to seriously considering a lifelong career in the military.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This idea truly resonated with me after I was injured. I discovered that visiting patients facing similar challenges not only helped me overcome isolation but also connected me with a supportive community. Serving others strengthened my friendships and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Today, sharing the lessons I’ve learned since my injury is my way of continuing that service.
With your background in the military and the entertainment industry, how do you think these sectors can collaborate to create more opportunities for veterans, both in terms of employment and representation?
When I was cast in All My Children, the executive producer and writers often sought my input for my character. They wanted to authentically portray the story of wounded service members reintegrating into civilian life but recognized that they lacked the firsthand experience to do so accurately. Their respect for the actors involved and the community they were highlighting was a key reason the storyline resonated so well with viewers.
This is precisely what we need more of in the entertainment industry. There was a time when military stories were told without the involvement of actual service members. Today, we’re seeing a positive shift, with more military personnel offering their expertise to ensure these stories are told accurately. Several organizations, comprised of veterans, are dedicated to helping fellow service members break into the entertainment industry. The data is clear: Military content that involves veterans is well-received by audiences.
However, this isn’t about charity. Veterans don’t want opportunities handed to them out of pity. We want to be challenged, to learn, to earn our spots. We want to be valued for our contributions, not used as token pieces to make others feel good about including veterans.
It’s often said that less than 1% of the nation’s population serves in the military. This means that when we try to communicate with the broader public, our voices are small. Media, in all its forms, can be a powerful ally in amplifying our stories, bridging that gap, and creating opportunities for veterans to be seen, heard, and respected.
Serving as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade must have been an incredible experience. How do you feel such public recognitions contribute to the broader conversation about supporting veterans?
Stories are what connect us all. When we focus solely on titles, it can limit our ability to see the person behind them. The opportunities I’ve had, like serving as the Grand Marshal, have allowed me to share my thoughts, interests, and personality. This has helped people connect with me as an individual with common interests, rather than just seeing me as a disabled veteran.
The military is often a foreign concept to many, and it’s easy to forget that service members and their families face the same challenges as everyday civilians. Military families are American families. They deal with the same issues — finding the right schools for their children, raising kids, and securing meaningful employment that covers a growing list of expenses. However, these challenges are amplified for military families because the entire family sacrifices and serves.
That’s why it’s so important for the nation to support both the veteran and their family. Public recognitions like the Rose Parade offer a valuable platform to tell the stories of military families. These stories allow people to see themselves in us and, more importantly, help build a larger, more connected community.
What initiatives or projects are you currently working on to continue advocating for veterans, and how can the public get involved in supporting these efforts?
A year after I was injured, I spent a lot of time visiting patients and their families in hospital rooms. The more time I spent with them, the more I became aware of the financial challenges these families were facing. It fueled my passion to help, so when I was introduced to a group looking to start a nonprofit for veterans, I immediately agreed to serve as their spokesperson. This role brought TV appearances and speaking opportunities that helped raise awareness, allowing me to return to those hospital rooms with checks in hand to help cover families’ bills back home. It was my way of continuing to serve, and it gave me a deep sense of purpose.
However, over time, I discovered that the individuals running the organization — who were not veterans themselves — were misusing funds. The focus shifted away from the mission of serving veterans and instead centered on corporate partnerships that funneled money into salaries and extravagant expenses. Disheartened, I left the organization and began working with others, only to encounter similar issues. This reality led me to step away from larger organizations and focus on smaller initiatives where I could be sure that every dollar raised was truly benefiting troops.
One of those initiatives is Operation Triage, an organization that assists veterans by remodeling homes, installing wheelchair ramps, and helping Vietnam veterans complete VA paperwork to secure the benefits they’ve earned, often leading to monthly disability payments. The best part is that every penny goes directly to the programs — no salaries because it’s entirely volunteer-based. I share this because I encourage people to look into the financials of any organization they support, to understand how their money is being used.
In addition to Operation Triage, I’m working with the USO as one of their hosts for the MVP series. While COVID-19 curbed in-person tours, the USO adapted by providing a virtual experience, which continues to this day. It’s a fantastic way to connect with troops all over the world who are serving and sacrificing.
The military did an incredible job providing medical care at no cost, but when family members uproot their lives to be by their loved one’s side, they often struggle financially. Leaving their jobs means no income to cover bills, and while they’re in the hospital, those bills pile up. I frequently heard from families who were more worried about how they would pay the bills than about the healing process. This infuriated me because I believe they should be focused on healing as a unit, not stressing over finances.
The public can get involved by supporting smaller, transparent initiatives like Operation Triage, and by staying informed about where their donations are going. Every contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of veterans and their families. Anytime I have the chance to speak about the military, I take it, because it was a major part of my life — one that I have no regrets about.
