Linda Elias-Thomas - My role as a Navy Reserve nurse
is to be physically ready and medically ready to be deployed.
I'm the training officer in my unit.
I help maintain readiness for the Marines and the Reserves
that are at the Reserve Center.
Brian Biggie - I was exposed to Navy Nurse Corps Officers
while I was on Active Duty and as soon as I met them I
knew that I wanted to be part of that elite community.
Linda Elias-Thomas - As a Reservist, I do part-time
drilling one weekend a month and then two weeks out
of the year I do Active Duty training.
I am Lieutenant Linda Elias-Thomas, a registered nurse
in the Navy Reserve.
I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Brian Biggie.
I am a Registered Nurse in the Navy Reserve.
Brian Biggie - My biggest challenge being a Nurse in
the Navy Reserve, is navigating the complexities of my
mission here. My responsibilities at home as a father
a husband and also my professional career at
Toledo Hospital and director of a
52 bed emergency department.
Linda Elias-Thomas - I have many hats in my
civilian job. I am the Safety Director at a
medical center. I also do floor nursing, which is
very similar to med surg nursing. I do infection control.
And I also train nursing assistants.
Brian Biggie - I have an administrative role that allows
me to prepare and take care of Sailors in Garrison at
the Individual Navy Operational Support Commands
throughout the country to get them up to speed prior
to their deployments.
Linda Elias-Thomas - I feel like I'm part of something
bigger being in the Navy, not just my little corner
of the world. It's global.
Brian Biggie - I would definitely say that the
Navy Reserve prepares you for the opportunities
today and the challenges tomorrow.
Linda Elias-Thomas - The Navy offers an abundance of training.
That is one of the greatest perks of the Navy, the education,
and it's free. It's there if you want it.
Brian Biggie ? They provide money for school,
educational opportunities, a sense of purpose,
a sense of sacrifice.
Linda Elias-Thomas - The Navy in general has enabled
me to travel to meet a lot of interesting people
that have the same drive that I have; they love the Navy,
they love the United States,
and they care about other people.
Brian Biggie ? It pretty much embodies everything that's
good about people and what's good about this country.
Linda Elias-Thomas - The advice I would give anyone
contemplating joining the Navy, would be one word ? join.
Brian Biggie ?I love it. Twenty-one years in, everyday
I'm glad that I joined.