Rose A. Hazlett

I was very fortunate to have many praying for me during my deployment in the military to Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom. I became who I am today -- a proud Hispanic American nurse patriot and leader because of the prayers, time, energy and devotion that these prayer warriors have invested in me. With their help, I was able to have a successful deployment. To achieve my dreams of success I need Jesus. In my life, I have learned that nothing shall be impossible to me, yet I am nothing without Jesus.

One of my most life-challenging experiences in the military occurred during this deployment at Landstuhl, Germany where I served for a year. This was my first military nursing experience in an environment filled with injured and wounded. Our country is blessed with wonderful youth that are serving in an admirable manner. I did not take care of one military person who was not grateful or thankful for their care. Despite injuries, their primary concern was to return to their units in the desert where they had left their fellow military personnel. We are blessed to live in a country where many willingly give up their freedoms to put on a uniform to fight for those at home. The men and women in uniform protect the freedom of our country with a courageous spirit that is truly admirable and awe-inspiring.

It is easy to put on a uniform and report to duty knowing that there are many praying for you. My most life-rewarding experience has been to be married to my husband. My husband is my hero. My husband is the epitome of the same values that I adhere to in the military: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage. My husband is the reason for my success because of his life as a righteous praying man. I have been on many missions that would not have been possible or successful without his support and prayers. During my Operation Desert Storm deployment, he took care of Courtney, our daughter, when she was only three years old. During this deployment, he took care of Courtney, now 16 years old, and our 12 year old son Creighton. My husband is one man that I know who takes his responsibility seriously as the spiritual leader in his home by placing the needs and requests of his family on the throne of God on a continual basis. I know that God answers the prayers of a righteous man, because he is the one that I called to ask for prayer during times of trial and desperation. My husband is the one who helped me to walk securely in God's love and protection because of the umbrella of his prayers sheltering my life. Due to his devotion and prayers I am able to walk as a successful wife, mother, and soldier.

One of the most significant awards I have received during my military career was a Meritorious Service Award for my role in an Army Reserve active duty training mission called "Golden Medic 2001." I am especially proud of this award because I was nominated not by my superior officers but by a junior officer serving under me, Amanda Parham-Roshell, lLT, AN. I had personally trained and mentored this young lieutenant, just as others had once done for me.

In nominating me for the award, she wrote: “LTC Hazlett went above and beyond the call of duty because she single-handedly taught each junior officer the ins and outs of operating a field hospital. Without her knowledge, experience and great leadership skills, our mission would have failed. Because our mission was a success, LTC Hazlett earned respect from all those under her command."

During this deployment, I received a coin for establishing the first breast cancer clinic at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I was a presenter at a women's health conference in Europe. I addressed cancer as a healthcare issue. I also received an award for establishing the first contingency units in the hospital for the war. However, my most notable and important recognition came from a chaplain with the
11th Signal Brigade. He presented me with a chaplain's coin for Christian leadership example.

In life, there are many paths to follow, but only one path has been ordered by God. As a wife, mother, nurse, PhD candidate and a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserves I know that God has ordered my steps. If it hadn't been for God's protection, I would have proceeded down quite a different path. I have come a long way from my roots in South Texas.

I grew up without knowing my parents. My brother and I were reared by our maternal grandparents after our mother's death when I was three years old. My father killed her in a jealous rage and was imprisoned. My grandparents were illiterate and not fluent in the English language, but my grandfather gave us loving care. Our household was run on pride, responsibility and the love of a man who accepted a parenting role at the time when most men his age were poised to live out the remainder of their days in leisure.

My military career started as a Navy seaman recruit in 1975. I transferred to the Army in 1983 after completing a BSN degree from the University of Texas at Austin. I received my master's in nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1988 and I'm currently working on my doctorate. In addition, 1 have completed all the military schools in a career progression: Officer Basic School, Officer Advance School, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and Command and General Staff College.

I have gained much from the educational benefits the military has to offer. By covering the cost of my tuition, the military has enabled me to continually advance my education in a way that would have been impossible on my own. Even now, after all my educational benefits have been exhausted, the state of Texas is paying for mv doctoral studies under the Hazelwood Act, which was established to assist Texas veterans.

Today I am proud to say that I have successfully completed my second mobilization as an Army nurse in my career. In 1991 I answered Operation Desert Storm's call, and in 2003 I responded to our present situation: Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was stationed at a medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany. During the war in Iraq, we were the primary medical center for treating soldiers coming from the front lines. We were very busy. It has been a very different experience for me. These soldiers are outstanding, very dedicated to our country. They are real heroes!

As a Christian, I want to be a leader and role model for the next generation. We desperately need to make strides with this generation. We must be active and diligent in voicing our concerns. We need to leave them a world that is better because we were in it. We need to get on the front lines and pray as never before for our youth. They need to see a responsible generation of adults that love them. Our youth need to see a generation of godly role models.

While the military lifestyle is not for everyone, I am living proof that serving in the armed forces can help open doors to education, career advancement and personal fulfillment that might otherwise have remained closed to many. My own success story could have easily gone in the other direction without the mentors, leadership opportunities, and faithful praying Christians. Consequently, I am a strong advocate for educating our youth and praying for them, because I know firsthand the difference it can make.


Army Nurse Rose A. Hazlett, BA, BSN, MS, is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and a member of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.