Warrior Shares His Story – JR Martinez

ABC Daytime television’s All My Children has a history of addressing social issues, recently emphasized when producers wrote in a wounded warrior character, who is played on screen by an actual wounded Iraq veteran.

“We wanted to inspire by integrating the story of an actual veteran, someone who brought an element of reality to the story we were telling,” says Executive Producer Julie Hanan Carruthers.

Cpl. J.R. Martinez, USA-Ret., plays Brot Monroe, a soldier whose extensive injuries prompt him to let everyone believe he died in combat.

“He brings so much of his experiences and … we were able to tap into that when he allowed himself to show that emotion on camera,” says Carruthers. “It’s been very powerful.”

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Martinez was less than one month into his service when the Humvee he was driving hit a land mine. He survived the blast with severe burns on more than 40 percent of his body.

The actor uses his account to help others through education and motivational speaking, and he is working on a book chronicling his journey. “I want to help people; it’s what drives me,”  he says.

*fact: All My Children is scheduled to go off the air this fall after a 41-year run. 


Military Officer Magazine
Jun 2011