Rear Adm. Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos is a native of Miami, Florida. He is a graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program in 1991. He also received a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management with a concentration in Information Management and Information Systems from George Washington University. He earned Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase 1 through the Air Command and Staff College in 2009 and JPME Phase II through the Joint Forces Staff College in 2018.
A career surface warfare officer, he initially served as the electrical officer, main propulsion assistant, damage control assistant and navigator/administrative department head aboard USS Copeland (FFG 25). He then reported to the staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron Seven, as assistant operations officer/supporting arms officer. He has operational experience in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf; including deployments in support of overseas operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom.
Upon affiliating with the Navy Reserve (NR), Martinez de Pinillos served as a staff duty officer/battle watch captain in support of Military Sealift Command Headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. Subsequently, he completed a department and executive officer tour with NR Naval Cooperation and Guidance of Shipping (NCAGS) Detachment Alpha. His other staff assignments include: operations officer, SPAWAR Reserve Program (SRP) Unit 407; executive officer, Coastal Riverine Squadron Eleven; and director of plans (N5), NR Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea.
Martinez de Pinillos mobilized in 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the senior naval officer in Western Afghanistan. He had responsibility for 80 navy personnel; planned all combined Afghan, NATO, and U.S. combat operations in Western Afghanistan; and was a mentor to an Afghan general. In 2019, he mobilized to Bahrain to serve as the deputy commander – blue, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
His command tours included: NR SPAWAR Reserve Unit 1011; Charlie Company Commander, Coastal Riverine Squadron Eleven; Coastal Riverine Squadron One; NR Commander, Pacific Fleet Maritime Operation Center Detachment 302. During his tenure at Coastal Riverine Squadron One, his shipmates earned the Battle “E” twice.
In addition to being Surface Warfare qualified, he qualified Fleet Marine Warfare Officer and Officer Small Craft. Martinez de Pinillos' personal awards include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards) along with various service medals and campaign ribbons.