My next guest has endured sexual assault, bullying, and retaliation in and out of the military. She now shares her story to help others heal and make systemic change.
I often observe people who have endured incredible hardships and become beacons of change. They seem gifted with a superpower to go against the tide, shining light in the darkest parts of society, places most prefer to stay hidden.
Her story is one of many overarching themes—how powerful people silence others, how she fights against the system for what she believes is just, and how she sets an example for others and her children.
Master Sergeant Crystal C. Romero retired after serving 16 1⁄2 years in the US 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 Specialties (MOS), held various positions, and successfully ran many programs, such as 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, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Specialist.
There, she helped run operations and was activated for the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts in 2003 and Hurricane 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.
After her honorable discharge in 2014, Crystal struggled to adjust to civilian life and found herself battling depression and PTSD. That struggle prompted her to volunteer to help other veterans, presumably worse off than her.
This was her path to redemption and how she plans to make her mark in the veteran community through advocacy.
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