Former CIA Director and current Secretary Of Defense Leon Panetta has reached out to J.R. Martinez since his Dancing With The Stars victory. In a phone call and a letter, the public servant praised the wounded veteran for showing the nation the “resilience of our wounded warriors”. Martinez reportedly thanked Panetta and credited, as he’s done so many times, the army’s rigorous training routines for helping him succeed in the reality competition.

It might seem strange to some that a man of so many responsibilities would correspond twice with the winner of a show about dancing, but the United States Military has long fostered a strong relationship with artists and entertainers. Watching former infantrymen achieve in their post military careers is a great morale boost to troops, especially considering the traumatic experience Martinez went through.

Eight years ago, he was driving a Humvee when it rolled over a landmine. Martinez suffered burns over forty percent of his body. While in the hospital, he began talking to others wounded in combat and upon release, booked speaking engagements all over the country. These lectures, along with a regular acting role on All My Children, got him the Dancing With The Stars offer, which he obviously made the most of.

Pop Blend sends out its congratulations to Martinez. In Director Panetta’s letter, he wished Martinez luck moving forward with his career and his efforts to cheer up and inspire wounded soldiers. The winner has already vowed to keep pushing forward, and we have no doubt he’ll make the most of his increased exposure.

To read more about Panetta and Martinez’s correspondance, head on over to the Department Of Defense.