U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathryn Martens - U.S. Department of Defense Official Website

May. 25, 2013

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathryn J. Martens, administration clerk, Patrol Squadron 4, re-enlists underwater as sharks swim around. Martens, a 21-year-old native of Rossford, Ohio, chose to re-enlist within a shark cage in order to make her ceremony memorable. Photo courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathryn J. Martens

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathryn Martens

Sailor Re-enlists in Shark Cage

By Lance Cpl. Edward C. deBree
Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Aug. 22, 2006 — Some servicemembers hold their re-enlistment 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 re-enlistment 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 re-enlistment 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 native of Rossford, Ohio. “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 re-enlisting worthwhile.”

As the shark cage was set, Martens and three other sailors lowered themselves into the cage ready to commence her re-enlistment.

With scuba gear on and a high level of excitement as sharks swam around the cage, eating any little piece of food that was thrown out to attract them closer, Martens raised her right hand and repeated the mumbled the words of Lt. Robert Ward, the observing officer.

After repeating the oath, Martens signed a laminated contract with an oil pen, 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 re-enlistment.”

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 she first joined the Navy, Martens said her father, Ronald Martens, and stepmother, Christen Martens, were completely supportive.

“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 every day. All I do every day is work and homework, and that is what is going to get me ahead when I get out.”