Jose Rene Martinez (born June 14, 1983)[1] is an American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier.

In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 34 percent of his body while serving as an Army infantryman in Iraq.

[1] In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the Army and underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Moore, Georgia, where, upon his graduation, was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11B (Infantryman).

After reporting to Fort Campbell in January 2003, he was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

[citation needed] In 2012, he appeared on the season six finale of Army Wives as a physical therapist treating injured veterans.

[11] In 2013, he began on the syndicated SAF3 portraying a Los Angeles County Firefighter/Paramedic and veteran USAF Pararescue Jumper Alfonso Rivera.

[15][16] Martinez is also active with "Operation Finally Home", an organization that builds housing for American veterans and their families so they may live mortgage-free.