MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Some service members hold their reenlistment ceremonies in front of a memorial to honor the history and tradition of their branch of service. Some hold their ceremony at a particular location that holds a meaning for that person. For one petty officer, holding a reenlistment ceremony the traditional way was not enough.
On Aug. 5, Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathryn J. Martens, administration clerk, Patrol Squadron 4, chose to hold her reenlistment ceremony in the waters of North Shore surrounded by sharks.
“Some one recently chose to hold their ceremony while skydiving, I chose the water,” said Martens, a Rossford, Ohio native. “It’s our decision to hold the ceremony however we please. Some choose to have them simple and others have them extreme. I had to be different from everybody else and make it fun and memorable. Might as well make reenlisting worthwhile.”
As the shark cage was set, Martens and three other Sailors lowered themselves into the cage ready to commence her reenlistment.
With scuba gear on and a high level of excitement as sharks swam around the cage, eating any little piece of food that is thrown out to attract them closer, Martens raised her right hand and repeated the mumbled the words of Lt. Robert Ward, the observing officer, whom Martens said seemed a little terrified to enter the water as six-foot sharks circled the boat.
After repeating the oath, Martens signed a laminated contract with an oil pen to foreclose the ceremony, ending what Martens said was a very memorable moment.
“When I called my dad and told him what I did, he said I was crazy,” said the 21-year-old. “He also said it was good going on my part to make things a little bit different though. He also said that was one way for me not to run away from reenlistment.”
After graduating high school, Martens decided to join the military in order to get a chance to travel around the world. She chose the Navy due to the high number of technical jobs that the Navy offers, which she said would give her the basics of a variety of civilian jobs for when she decides to depart from her military service.
Since joining the Navy, Martens has been to Misawa, Japan and Bahrain, which Martens said was a complete culture shock to her.
“Bahrain has so many different types of cultures,” she said. “Over there you get to work with the British and the Australians. For me, I gained a lot from working with different types of people. It was a good experience.”
When first joining the Navy, Martens father, Ronald Martens, and step mother, Christen Martens, were completely supportive in her decision. Both of whom have seen a better change in their daughter.
“One of the first things they have noticed was that I have more respect for authority,” said Martens, the youngest of six siblings. “I now have a different insight on the world rather than the little home town feeling, which I came from.”
Martens is currently working on achieving her Bachelor’s Degree in Business, which she feels is no different from her current job.
“My job is basically a lot of paperwork,” said Martens. “I figured I should major in something that I know and do everyday. All I do everyday is work and homework, and that is what is going to get me ahead when I get out.”