Stanley J. Martinez is a proud Gold Legacy Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a U.S. Navy veteran with 16 years of service as a Submariner, Culinary Specialist Manager, and Law Enforcement Officer. He lives in Layton, Utah with his wife, and together they have a son, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren.
Stan has served in multiple leadership roles, including Department Commander (2017–2018), National Legislative Committee Member (2020–2024), and Western Conference Sergeant-at-Arms. He is currently serving his fourth term as Commander of VFW Post 409 and has also held the roles of District 2 Commander and Post Service Officer.
Key Priorities
- Advocate for submariners and other veterans facing toxic exposures
- Support access to earned VA benefits through outreach and service coordination
- Expand partnerships across the veteran service community
- Encourage strategic planning to unify efforts around shared goals
- Promote family support and veteran wellness at every level
VFW Involvement
- Commander, Department of Utah (2017–2018)
- National Legislative Committee Member (2020–2024)
- Western Conference Sergeant-at-Arms (2 terms)
- All-American Commander, Post 409 and District 2
- Commander, VFW Post 409 (4+ terms)
- Member, Military Order of the Cootie, VFW Riders, VFW National Home
Military & Public Service
- U.S. Navy Submariner, Culinary Specialist Manager, Law Enforcement Officer
- Rescued trapped crewman during service aboard USS Georgia
- Worked at Reno VA Medical Center as intake floor manager
- Contributed to Johns Hopkins stress study on submarine service
- Lifetime Presidential Appointee, Selective Service System Board
Current Work & Advocacy
- Chairman & CEO, Submarine Advocacy Group (since 2024)
- Researching toxic exposure impacts on submariners for VA policy improvement
- Life member: DAV, Fleet Reserve Association, American Legion
Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Management – Morrison University, Reno, NV
- Certified Emergency Responder (2008)
✅ Endorsed by VFW Leaders Across the Western Conference
Endorsements
- Tom Pouliot – Past Commander-in-Chief
- Health Silcox – National Council Member, District 21 (Utah)
- Department of Utah VFW
- John Bradburn – Past Department Commander, Washington
- Chris Archuleta – Past Department Commander, New Mexico
- Andrea Summerlin – Past Department Commander, Oregon
- Justin Tripp – Past Department Commander, Wyoming
- Steve Kjonaas – Past Department Commander, Colorado
- Carol Kacal – Past Department Commander, Alaska
- Jeffrey Eiler – Past Department Commander, Arizona
