Fellow Aviation Boatswain’s Mate,

It is a truly honor to serve as your President.  Thank you for placing your trust in me and giving the opportunity to represent every Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, past, present, and future.  I do not take that responsibility lightly.

The Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Association has always been about more than a title or a membership.  It is about the people who wear the AB rating with pride, the Sailors who came before us, and those who will carry this community forward long after we are gone. 

My mission is simple: strengthen our community, invest in our people, preserve our heritage, and built an organization that every AB is proud to be part of. If we stay committed to those principles, I truly believe we can earn the reputation of being the premier professional organization in the United States Navy.

Today’s Navy demands more from us than ever before. That means it’s time to roll up our sleeves, get back to the basics, and do the right thing, even when no one is watching. I challenge every one of us to take pride in our work and hold ourselves to the highest standard.  The generations before us built the reputation of the AB community through hard work, professionalism, and accountability. It is now our responsibility to protect that legacy and leave it stronger than we found it.

During this year’s working group, we talked openly about the challenges our community has faced and the scrutiny that has followed recent mishaps. Those conversations weren’t easy, but they were necessary. I have complete confidence that this generation of Aviation Boatswain’s Mate is ready to meet the challenge. With the experience of our senior leaders and the dedication of our Sailors we will prove that the AB community is built on professionalism, discipline, and technical excellence. We will follow our procedures, use our technical manuals, ask questions when need help, and never compromise safety for convenience.   

As the Air Boss declared this “The Year of the Maintainer”, let’s make those words mean something. Let’s demonstrate our professionalism by keeping our equipment ready, taking ownership of our maintenance programs, and holding ourselves and each other accountable. Our equipment, our people, and our mission all deserve nothing less.

Success won’t come from one speech or one person. It will come from every AB making decision each day to be little better than yesterday. If we commit ourselves to that mindset, support one another, and never lose sight of our standards, there is no limit to what this community can accomplish.

I am proud to serve alongside with you, and I’m excited about what we will accomplish together. Let’s get to work and continue showing our Navy and our Nation what Aviation Boatswain’s Mates are capable.

V/r,

LCDR Luis "Marty" Martinez
ABMA National President