ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - "Whoever shall behold the image of Saint Christopher shall not faint or fall on that day," states the Legend of Saint Christopher from the U.S. Army Transportation Corps' induction ceremony narrative. The legend goes on to say that depictions of Saint Christopher were shown opposite the entrances to churches so passers-by could look upon them 'and be fortified.' Those words are spoken when the Transportation Corps bestows upon one of its own something given only to the best in the transportation community - induction into the Military Order of Saint Christopher.
A person who works in the Transportation Corps, or a 'Transporter,' can be recognized for their contributions for a particular mission or instance involving moving the force by being inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Christopher.
For those whose career achievements and accomplishments have epitomized the strength, loyalty, dedication and sacrifice shown by Saint Christopher, the patron saint of the Transportation Corps, they are granted the much-coveted induction into the Ancient Order of Saint Christopher. The Ancient Order of Saint Christopher is reserved for the top 10 percent, the best of the best of the Transporters in the Army.
Recently, 22-year Army veteran and transporter, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Adam Martin, was inducted into the Ancient Order of Saint Christopher at a ceremony held at the Rock Island Arsenal Golf Clubhouse.
Martin works as the mobility officer in the Army Sustainment Command's Distribution Management Center, the Army's Lead Materiel Integrator action agency. Specifically, Martin works with the Responsible Reset Task Force providing transportation and logistical support to the forward deployed 401st and 402nd Army Field Support Brigades.
He attributes his nomination and subsequent induction in part to his work ethic, personal thirst for knowledge, and stepping up to whatever challenges life can provide.
"A lot of it has been hard work and I'm always trying to learn more, trying to get better, trying to do more, trying to be a better asset to my unit and my Army," Martin said. "That's all I've ever tried to do throughout my career."
Martin maintains that the warrant officers of the Transportation Corps are expected to be subject-matter experts in all facets of transportation.
"We are maintainers and trainers of systems using processes and everything in between," he said. "When you're in a combat brigade and your unit's turning equipment into an RPAT (Redistribution Property Assistance Team), or reset, or working a reset plan, all of that affects what we need to do in the planning for bringing equipment home or where it's going to go afterward."
Martin enlisted in 1990 as a private and advanced to the rank of staff sergeant before earning his place as honor graduate of his Warrant Officer Candidate School class in 2004. Armed with years driving and moving supplies and personnel in places like Fort George G. Meade, Md., Fort Campbell, Ky., the Republic of Korea, Fort Hood, Texas, and Germany, and with his combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, Martin said that while the scope of his work changed when he arrived at ASC in 2010, the focus has not.
"We in the Mobility Section have the Responsible Reset Task Force cell that provides support to the field. And I don't mean just stateside; I mean specifically the 401st and the 402nd in the theater of operations," said Martin. "So, being here and seeing how that ties back and how we are supporting them by making sure they have the personnel, the capabilities, the resources, the processes and policies for all the systems to work; it's different than what we mobility warrant officers are used to in the line units.
"But it all relates; we are here to support the Warfighter, bottom line. We do that through supporting the AFSBs."
Being inducted into the Ancient Order of Saint Christopher is no small task. It takes someone to nominate that person and then prepare their packet and post their recommendations for review by senior transporters from just a few links up the chain of command all the way to the Department of the Army's chief of Transportation.
In Martin's case, it is Brig. Gen. Stephen E. Farmen's signature that formalizes the certificate accompanying his Saint Christopher Medallion. It is that signature that indelibly places his name on a list of the best transporters the Army has ever known.
"It brings you into the select few that have been honored with receiving this award," he said. "It's one of those unique things that don't go into your records or in your official file. It's neat, it's unique, and to me, that's why it means more; it's not your standard award. It's something very special."
For Martin, the induction means more than bragging rights or a piece of shiny metal to adorn his desktop. To him it's a defining moment -- a capstone to a career that has spanned more than two decades.
"Just about all my career has been transportation in most aspects. It's something that, to me, sums it all up. If I were retiring, I'd be happy with that," Martin said. "It's not a 'normal' award; it's not an MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) or a Bronze Star or a Legion of Merit.
"I'm not done yet, but I think that if I left tomorrow, I'd be happy knowing that I was recognized as one of the best in my field."
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