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Crystal Romero, LULAC Chair, National Subcommittee on Military and Veterans’ Legislative Affairs

Crystal Romero

Master Sergeant Crystal C. Romero retired after serving 16 1⁄2 years in the US Army National Guard, serving primarily in her home State of New Mexico. She also volunteered for federal service, serving alongside active duty and the Department of Homeland Security. Today, she is an activist for veteran’s causes and currently holds the following positions: Co-Founder & Chief Communications Officer for Invisible Combat (a veteran’s nonprofit); National Member for LULAC’s Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee; and is currently involved in drafting legislation related to military sexual assault and veteran’s mental health. Crystal held various positions 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 ran operations and was activated for the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts in 2003. Concurrently, she served with the New Mexico Counter Narcotics Task Force serving as the Command Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. In her final years in the military, she was a Senior Human Resources Specialist, Platoon Sergeant, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, member of the Safety Counsel, National Guard Bureau Counterdrug Program Evaluation team member and the Joint Substance Abuse Program Coordinator for the State of New Mexico. After her honorable discharge, in 2014, Crystal struggled to adjust to civilian life and found herself battling depression and PTSD. That struggle is what prompted her to start volunteering to help other veterans, that were presumably, worse off than she was. This was to be her path to redemption and the way she plans to make her mark in the veteran’s community: through her advocacy. She currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her three daughters. Her awards include the following: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM) (x3), Army Achievement Medal (AAM) (x4), and a Reserve Overseas Service Ribbon.

Panel Information

Friday, September 3

4:35 PM EST

Highlight-Latino Patriots: Latinos Serving our Country through Military Service

Latino women and men have a long and proud history of distinguished service to our country. However, the service of our military members is often overlooked and marred with tragedy. As the rate of Latinos enlisting in our armed services continues to grow, we must ensure our service members are safe and treated with the respect they deserve. This conversation will interrogate these tough issues as well as inform advocates of policy solutions and ways they can give back to our Latino veterans and service members.

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