Marty Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1987, during his senior year of high school and began basic training August 29, 1988 at MCRD Parris, SC.
Upon completion, PFC Williams reported to the School of Infantry (SOI) for training as a Rifleman. In February 1989, LCpl Williams reported to Marine Barracks, Guam for duty.
In August 1990, LCpl Williams reported to 3rd Plt, K Co, 3/5, 1st Marine Division as a Rifleman and held the position of Fire Team Leader. In November his unit (5th MEB) deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Enroute (on ship) he was promoted (meritoriously) to Corporal. Cpl Williams saw action in Al Wafrah oil field (Kuwait). On his way back to the US, Cpl Williams participated in Operation Sea Angel, disaster relief effort in Bangladesh.
Upon returning to the US, Cpl Williams transferred to the Scout Sniper (STA) platoon and graduated Sniper School (1st Marine Division) in December 1991. In April 1992, he deployed (UDP) to Okinawa and spent 4 months in the Philippines working with Department of State personnel (US Embassy Manila) overseeing retrograde operations of US forces (Subic Bay).
Returning to the US in November 1992, Cpl Williams continued unit sniper training. June-July 1993, he participated in JTF-6, counter drug operations (US Forestry Service) on the US/Mexico border. Sgt Williams was assigned instructor duty at the 1st Marine Division Sniper School, Camp Pendleton, CA in October 1993.
In May 1995, Sgt Williams deployed to the Middle East with STA 1/1, 15th MEU (SOC). He participated in Operation Southern Watch, conducting surveillance patrols on the Kuwait/Iraq border.
Returning to the US in June 1996, Sgt Williams continued unit training. In October 1996 Sgt Williams was assigned Drill Instructor (DI) duty at MCRD San Diego, CA. Upon completion of DI School, Sgt Williams was assigned to L Co, 3rd RTBN, RTR, where he successfully graduated 6 recruit platoons as a Junior Drill Instructor.
In April 2000, after a successful tour of duty, Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Williams was assigned to the Recon & Surveillance (R&S) Section, Special Missions Branch, 3rd Special Operations Training Group (SOTG), Okinawa as an instructor. During this assignment, SSgt Williams was attached to ODA-135, C Co, 1st Bn 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) and participated in the creation, training, and staffing of the Light Reaction Company (LRC) in the Republic of the Philippines.
In May 2003, SSgt Williams returned to the US, assigned to 1st Plt, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Attached to the 15th MEU (SOC), Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Williams participated in Operation Unified Assistance, humanitarian assistance for the Tsunami in Indonesia (December 2004) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 3, conducting combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. Returning to the US in July 2005, GySgt Williams was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Bn, 1st Marine Division and was assigned to the Reconnaissance Training
Platoon (RTP). He was next assigned to 3rd Plt, B Co and in April 2007, deployed to the Al Anbar province of Iraq and conducted combat operations in support of OIF 6.8. Returning to the US in October 2007, GySgt Williams was “acting” Company (B) First Sergeant until his retirement in August 31, 2008.
Schools: Infantry (SOI), Scout Sniper, Drill Instructor, US Army Airborne, Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS), US Navy SERE (Level C).
Courses/Special Skills: Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST), Helicopter Rappel Suspension Training (HRST) Master, Sergeants Course (Leadership), R&S, Urban Sniper, MCMAP (Tan), MC-5 Parachute Transition, SNCO Advanced Course (Leadership), Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV), High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), Special Operations Terminal Attack Controllers (SOTACC), Close Quarters Battle (CQB), Explosive Breacher, Combat Lifesaver.
Marty resides on Oceanside, CA and is in the financial services industry, committed to helping families, businesses, and non-profit organizations earn more income, get properly protected, debt free, and financially independent. His financial licenses include: life insurance, Series 6 & 63, fixed indexed/variable annuity certification, with clients in 8 other states besides California. He is honored to be serving as the MRF Treasurer.