Introduction to My Education and Background

About Me:

My name is Richard Martin, and I’m a husband, father, educator, gardener, disabled Veteran, and lifelong learner. My journey has taken me from classrooms in Oregon to hospital wards across the country, from the U.S. Navy to the entrepreneurial world of hot sauce. If there’s a theme to it all, it’s growth—the willingness to adapt, serve, and keep learning no matter how hot the fire gets.

A Different Path Forward

I grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon, and attended Hidden Valley High School until my junior year. At 16, I decided to forge my own path and earned my GED through Rogue Community College (RCC). From there, I enrolled at Western Oregon University with an undecided major, dabbling in courses ranging from logic to jogging. But I soon felt pulled back to RCC to pursue nursing prerequisites.

When I learned it would take two more years just to enter the nursing program, I pivoted. I completed an Associate of General Studies instead—and then made a life-changing decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy.

Finding Purpose in the Navy

The Navy sent me first to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, where I learned discipline, teamwork, and what it means to be part of something bigger. From there, I trained in San Antonio, Texas, to become a Hospital Corpsman, earning a place on the Dean’s List. I was then accepted into the Interservice Respiratory Therapy Program through the Army, completing my Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy via Thomas Edison State College—once again making the Dean’s List.

My service culminated at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia—the first and finest in the Navy. There, I earned certifications as an Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) and Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS). Alongside my Navy duties, I also worked full-time as a civilian respiratory therapist in a local trauma unit. Together, those roles added up to more than 80 hours a week—an intense but invaluable chapter that taught me resilience and sharpened my clinical expertise.

Expanding Experience

After completing my service, I returned to Oregon and continued practicing respiratory therapy in hospitals across the state. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from the Oregon Institute of Technology, balancing my studies while working in New York during the height of the 2020 pandemic.

That period was both defining and draining. The pandemic reshaped healthcare and reshaped me. It deepened my respect for the field but also left me questioning how I wanted to contribute moving forward.

Education and Transition

In 2022, I began an MBA in Hospital Administration at Southern Oregon University. While I gained valuable knowledge, I still hadn’t found a clear career spark. With the support of the VA’s Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation program, I shifted my focus to a Master of Science in Education (Adult Education). This program led me to a position with one of the largest national respiratory therapy companies in the country, where I was selected to become a training coordinator. Unfortunately, the company didn’t allow me to fully transition into the role, leaving me unable to move forward as planned. After much reflection, I decided to step away from that path.

I officially returned my respiratory therapy license and focused on finishing my MBA with dual concentrations in Accounting and Marketing. Today, I still have six months of my GI Bill left, and I haven’t yet decided how best to use it—but I know education will always remain part of my story.

Turning Up the Heat

During this season of transition, I discovered a creative outlet that lit me up in new ways: hot sauce. What began as a hobby quickly became a small business, and I launched Three Little Peppers Sauce Co. in 2024. Sharing my blends at local bazaars gave me a renewed sense of purpose—it reminded me how much I love creating and connecting with people. Every bottle I make carries a little bit of my journey: bold, layered, and with just enough kick to keep things interesting.

Looking Ahead

At 38, I know my path hasn’t been linear. From earning my GED to serving in the Navy, from critical care units to the classroom, I’ve built a career rooted in service, adaptability, and growth. I’m open to returning to respiratory therapy if the right opportunity arises, but my broader goal is to step into a role where I can combine my diverse experience in healthcare, education, business, and leadership.

Purpose, I’ve learned, is like a recipe: a mix of patience, persistence, and a willingness to adjust the ingredients until it tastes just right. My journey so far has been full of heat and hard lessons—but also resilience, accomplishment, and the joy of creating something meaningful.

A Final Word

The story isn’t finished. Whether the next chapter is in healthcare, business, education, or something completely unexpected, I’m ready to bring the same dedication I’ve shown in every phase of my life. Until then, I’ll keep building, learning, and yes—adding a little spice along the way. 🌶️