Warrior Games Profile - Melissa Garcia

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(Editor's Note: From September 28 to October 4, more than 40 athletes representing the Air Force will be in Colorado Springs competing in the 2014 Warrior Games. This is a profile of one of those athletes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at who they are and the sport they represent. Note: Some profile information in the graphics may be outdated due to recent birthdays or events. The most current player information is below.)

WARRIOR GAMES: PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Staff Sgt. Melissa Garcia

Team: Warrior Games
Sports: Track and Field, Cycling, Sitting Volleyball DOB: 30 Apr 1986
Birthplace: Baltimore, MD
Hometown: Hanover, MD
Current Residence: Tucson, AZ
Injury: Breast Cancer

Personal Profile:

Staff Sgt Melissa Garcia joined the military in 2004, less than one month after graduating from high school. Her brother was a Staff Sgt at the time and had a big influence on her joining. After graduating basic and technical training, she was assigned to Lackland AFB, Texas where she worked at Wilford Hall Medical Center as a Medical Technician in an inpatient medical unit. After working there for two years, she was transferred to the plastic and neurosurgery clinic, where she had the chance to work with breast cancer survivors during their reconstruction process as well as with military members who were disfigured in combat. While stationed at Lackland, she had her daughter Isabella. In November 2007, she relocated to Andrews AFB, Maryland, and was assigned to the Women’s Health Clinic at Malcolm Grow Medical Center where she worked as a technician for two years and was the non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) for two years. While stationed at Andrews AFB, she deployed twice and cross trained into her current Air Force Specialty Code, Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT). In February 2012, she relocated to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona and currently works as an IDMT in the Flight Medicine Clinic. While being stationed at Davis-Monthan, she has deployed once. Garcia was diagnosed with breast cancer while on the deployment and has since made a full recovery.

Personal/Professional Achievements:

Earned CCAF in Allied Health Science in 2009
Awarded AF Commendation Medal 31 May 2011 and 31 Jan 2013 Currently enrolled in Pima Community College working on BSN Attended AFW2 Recovering Mentorship Program Training