In the Military

Lt. j.g. Josh Martin, a 2001 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer aboard the USS Alabama, one of the world’s most advanced ballistic missile submarines.

The Bangor, Wash.-based submarine is one of 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines measuring 560 feet long, 42 feet wide and weighing more than 16,500 tons. Designed for stealth, the Ohio-class submarines spends an average of 77 days at sea, followed by 35 days in port.

As a supply officer, Martin is responsible for all logistic operations on the USS Alabama, including food service operations. Martin is part of the boat’s Blue crew, one of two rotating crews that allow the ship to be deployed on missions more often without taxing one crew too much. A typical crew on this submarine is approximately 150 officers and enlisted sailors.

“Serving on a submarine means being part of something bigger than myself,” said Martin. “A lot of Americans don’t understand what submarines do, and we really are, in my opinion, defending America’s freedoms. To be a part of something like this is an honor.”

—

On July 1, 2016 United States Marine Matthew McLean, a 2001 graduate of Westover High School, was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. McLean was in the ROTC program during his time at Westover and is now stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif.

—

In the Military is a Sunday column that focuses on people serving in the armed forces with connections to metro Albany and Southwest Georgia. Items for the column should be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Photos should be of good resolution, preferably in jpeg format, if emailed. Items may be emailed to [email protected] (please include “Military Portfolio” or “military news,” or “In the Military” in the subject area); mailed to Albany Herald News Dept., P.O. Box 48, Albany, Ga. 31702, or dropped by our offices at 126 N. Washington St.