JANUARY 2, 2026 – The journey to earning a commission and reciting the oath is a memorable moment for most officers, but for Kimo Martinez, Sunday, Dec. 21, was monumental.
Just one day after the U.S. Space Force’s 6th Birthday, 2nd Lt. Kimo Martinez was commissioned by his father, retired Air Force Col. Kato Martinez, in an intimate ceremony on the field at University of Texas at Austin’s Memorial Stadium. Surrounded by family and friends, the ceremony marked a triumphant culmination of an eight-year journey of recovery, resilience and love.
That triumph stands in stark contrast to the morning of March 22, 2016. The Martinez family – Kato (father), Gail (mother), Kimo and his three sisters – had packed their bags and were excited for their annual trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” However, that morning the course of their lives would change forever when an explosion occurred, tragically taking the life of Kimo’s mother, and critically injuring the rest of the family.
“My family and I were six feet away from an IED [improvised explosive device]. We lost my mother that day, my number one supporter. The one cheering me on at my football games and the one helping me with my homework up until midnight,” Kimo said, who at age 12 suffered third-degree burns over 40% of his body.
The “village”
That morning 32 victims lost their lives in three simultaneous terrorist attacks that occurred at the Brussels Airport and the Maelbeek Metro Station. For the Martinez family, the loss of Gail wasn’t just the loss of a wife and mother; it was the loss of their anchor.
Critically injured and grappling with the unimaginable road that lay ahead, it was his mother’s best friend from high school that helped them begin moving forward.
Kimo described how when they returned to the United States to complete their recovery following the terrorist attacks, his mother’s best friend “adopted us.”
Mary and Ray Phillips took on Gail’s role and became their lifeline.
“They were my military Aunt and Uncle that truly became family to me,” Kimo said.
“We ended up being stationed together three times, even though my Aunt Mary was Navy and Uncle Ray was Army,” Kimo said. “It truly is a small world, now they live a couple houses over from ours.”
The Phillips family and the surrounding military community in San Antonio embraced the Martinez family, housed them and helped them through their recovery.
Kimo recalls how that “village” was a constant presence.
“They were at the hospital taking care of us, they were even there to tell me to get out of my wheelchair and push it myself because they knew how badly I wanted to get back,” he said, referring to his physical recovery.
The mentor
For retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. James Henry, it’s a full-circle moment for a young man whose determination he calls unparalleled.
Henry, who was a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at John Jay Science and Engineering Academy High School, recalls meeting with Kimo’s father who described Kimo as “determined, but struggling.”
Henry had concerns about some of Kimo’s injuries and how they would affect his performance in JROTC.
“His range of motion was limited but I saw a young man that was determined to do something,” Henry said.
Throughout Kimo’s high school years, he endured 21 surgeries to address his injuries, which included not being able to regulate heat or feel pain in certain parts of his body.
Henry took him under his wing and was by his side each step of the way.
“I was tough on him, but there was nothing but love,” he said.
For Henry, the premise of the JROTC program was about growth and development.
“If they can handle our program, they can handle anything that life has to bring,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a young man that was that determined to do something. Nothing was going to stop that kid.”
Kimo went on to excel in school, commanding the Silver Eagles Drill team and leading them to win the 2021 National High School Drill Team Championships; getting selected for the Daedalians’ Flying Training Program and soloing in an aircraft before he even had a driver’s license; and earning a full-ride Air Force ROTC scholarship to his college of choice.
Henry was the recipient of Kimo’s first salute as a Space Force officer.
“I was so proud for them [Martinez family]. I was really kind of emotional, but I really am just so proud of him,” Henry described. “I just know everything that he’s been through, he and his family. It wasn’t all sunshine and blue skies. There were a lot of tough times. A lot of times just coming into my office and sitting down in tears. But we sat there and worked through it. He had a lot on his plate, worried about his dad. Worried about his sisters.”
“He is absolutely family,” Henry stated.
Henry says Kimo gives credit to faith, family and his mother for his success. He said fate played a part in the silver dollar he received from Kimo following his first salute. On the back side was a silver eagle … the name of the championship drill team they both played a large part in.
A legacy of service
As Kimo’s college career progressed, it was no longer a question of whether he would serve, but how. While in ROTC he says he initially “got caught up in the pilot hype” and pursued flying. But it was his sister and father’s influence that helped him select the Space Force.
“Growing up, I was raised as a military brat,” Kimo said. “My father worked a lot with special operations so that put us in some pretty neat places. We’ve lived in places such as Hawaii, Guam, the Netherlands and we’re just blessed with amazing stations.”
Kimo went on to say “granted, that did come with some sacrifices and my dad was deployed a lot.”
Martinez, a Purple Heart recipient and a career tactical communications officer, had just returned from a dicey deployment in Afghanistan in 2016, which was one reason the family was heading to Disney.
He posed a simple question: “Kimo, do you remember how many times I was deployed?”
The desire to build his life with his new wife, Stephanie, opened the door for a new vision. That vision was supported by his older sister, Kianni, who was already working for the Space Force as a civilian.
“She told me, ‘Hey, space is the future, right? And you’re trying to make a career?’” Kimo said.
For Kimo, the choice to become an officer in the U.S. Space Force was not just a career decision, it was a way to put his hard-earned aerospace engineering degree to use, honor his father’s legacy and fulfill the potential his mother always saw in him.
A promise fulfilled
“My mom was my number one supporter,” Kimo said. “I kept pushing every day to be the man my mom saw me to be.”
His father explained that because of his dangerous career, Gail had always been preparing the family for the possibility of what could happen.
Martinez says, “She had set these children to be strong.” Her promise was to raise resilient children.
While standing on an empty football field, in front of the American flag, Kimo’s father stated, “this is a promise fulfilled” and then administered the Oath of Office. Kimo’s sisters and wife pinned on his rank.
The commissioning ceremony is tangible proof that Kimo kept his promise and his village comprised of his family, the Phillips family, his JROTC instructor and his peers from AFROTC Det. 825 were there to witness it.
“To be part of that ceremony, be the one to commission him … it’s really beyond words,” Martinez said.
For Kimo, who was saved by a village, his focus is now on paying that support forward through the power of individual connection. He wants to honor the core memories of sharing a meal around the dinner table in his new role as an officer and husband.
“You don’t have to impact everybody, but just impact one,” he said. “Share a meal with just one person, you can have a large impact on their life.”
By Christa D’Andrea
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs