Crystal C. Romero
Master Sergeant Crystal C. Romero retired after serving over 16 years in the U.S. Army National Guard, serving full-time Active-Duty Operational Support primarily in her home state of New Mexico. Today, she is an activist for veterans’ causes and has had a significant role in passing legislation related to military sexual assault and veterans’ mental health. Crystal obtained four Military Occupational Specialities (MOS), held various positions, and successfully ran many programs like the DoD Innovative Readiness Training Program throughout her military career, beginning in logistics and later transferring to a Public Affairs Detachment. She then transitioned to the 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist. There she helped run operations and was activated for the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts in 2003 and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike. Concurrently, she served with the New Mexico Counter Narcotics Task Force serving as the Finance and Executive assistant to the commander. In her final years in the military, she was a Senior Human Resources Specialist, Platoon Sergeant, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, member of the Safety Council, National Guard Bureau Counterdrug Program Evaluation team member, and the Joint Substance Abuse Program Coordinator for the State of New Mexico where she ran the drug testing program for all National Guard service members.
