JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Martina Robles spent the majority of her recent designation ceremony as the newly appointed U.S. Army South Command Senior Warrant Officer Advisor acknowledging the unit’s other warrant officers in attendance.
A true Soldier’s Soldier, Chief Robles began her Army career in 1991 as a private. She transitioned to the Warrant Officer Corps in 2000 when she was a staff sergeant at the urging of her commander while stationed in the 82nd Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Robles was selected by Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn as Army South’s first Senior Warrant Officer Advisor and is charged to lead, develop and mentor the warrant officers in the command. During the ceremony, Robles acknowledged she stands ready to make a difference now and for future generations of military leaders.
“My focus will be on people and their roles, the management of warrant officers and ensuring coverage during transition periods,” said Robles of her top priorities.
Her career has groomed her for the role she assumed. As a CW3, she was hand picked to work at the Joint Special Operations Command-Europe, where she held various positions ranging from property book officer, chief support operations and other joint staff level positions. Robles’ other assignments include the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2012 and as the SOF multinational integrator and logistic manager for Multi-National Special Operations Task Forces while deployed in Afghanistan.
“I have never been to a place I didn’t like because I always look at the positive things that every place has to offer,” Robles said.
“Martina will ensure the warrant officer expertise and perspective is included into every part of the Army South staff and ensure we are represented within the Department of the Army Senior Warrant Officer Counsel,” Chinn said.
Charged with management personnel, Robles believes the pool of senior warrant officers in Army South are proven leaders.
“I don’t want their knowledge and development to become stagnant. Rather, I believe in diversification and new opportunities. Together we will develop a plan for warrant officers to be competitive for promotion, while expanding their experiences,” Robles said.
Acknowledging others, as she did during her ceremony, seems to be second nature to Robles as she briefly spoke on the importance of investing in the force and encouragement of both personal and professional challenges for self-growth and development.
“I care about Soldiers, regardless of the rank and I care about their families. We must make time to attend our military schools, complete civilian education and identify weak areas where there is a need for personal improvement,” Robles said.
As Chinn highlighted Roble’s biography to the crowd gathered for the ceremony, Col. Rocky Burrell, ARSOUTH regional affairs director, nudged Robles and whispered, “You know he’s looking down and proud of you today,” as he pointed upward to the heavens.
Earlier this year, Robles lost her husband, Sgt. Maj. William A. Robles to Stage IV stomach cancer. Despite this loss Robles’ proclaims, “God never abandoned us and He provided us with one of the greatest military families – U.S. Army South!”