Unsung Hero: Senior Airman Jazmin Garcia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ty-Rico Lea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The professionals of the 325th Medical Support Squadron are trained to maintain the wellness of Airmen and their families. Although all Airmen in the squadron meet the standard, there are those who shine: meet Senior Airman Jazmin Garcia, 325th Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician.

Born and raised in Nacogdoches, Texas, Garcia was cared for by her aunts and uncles and is the eldest of six children. Her parents reside in Mexico. She accredits her experience and maturity to her time as a role model for her younger siblings.

"I've always believed that being the oldest sibling was taxing and required a large amount of responsibility, especially in a sense that you're essentially the guinea pig when it comes to setting an example." Garcia said.

Ever since she was a child, Garcia always had dreams of working in a field using medical skills.

"Back when I began the process of enlisting I had no idea what my job was going to require me to do," Garcia said. "But once I began learning about it and actually applying hands-first training, I knew this was something I always wanted."

The medical laboratory technician, also known as Air Force Specialty Code 4T0X1, is unique in its own right just as every other Air Force AFSC.

"Our job is divided into different sections requiring different skills," Garcia said. "So working in this clinic usually has personnel rotating throughout all sections."

Her job also requires her to be cardiopulmonary resuscitation trained - a skill that can save lives.

Air Combat Command recognized Garcia with the "Lab Technician of Year" award. She also received "Airman of the Year" for the 325th Medical Group for 2014 and 2015.

In her spare time, she mentors students in the Bay District school system and has been doing so since 2015.

"I've mentored two students, one in elementary school and the other in middle school,"
Garcia said. "From the start, I always felt that I gained the most from mentoring young children. I can always relate to their circumstances. One of the school students told me she wanted to go to school for cosmetology or nursing since that's what I always wanted to practice."

Garcia plans on earning a Bachelor's degree in nursing.

"The advice that I would give to Airmen while pursuing their goals is to just stay positive while doing so," Garcia said.