Public Health Service Europe Sergeant Thomas Dozier (Photo by Michelle Thum)
LANDSTUHL, Germany – A European Public Health Command veterinary food testing specialist is looking to advance his career by becoming a U.S. Army officer.
A sergeant from Washington. Thomas Dozier grew up on a naval base as his father served in the Navy and his mother served in the Army.
“I’ve always been surrounded by the military, so I decided to join right after I graduated high school,” Dozier said. “I have really enjoyed all the different assignments the Army has given me over the past six years.”
Mr. Dozier is a veterinary food testing specialist with the European Public Health Command and is currently a non-commissioned officer in charge of the bioanalytical division.
BAD receives food, water, and animal samples from the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa to ensure that the food and water meets strict U.S. and host country safety standards and that the animals are free of disease. .
“I’m in charge of rabies testing, which means I receive samples and conduct rabies tests to see if the samples carry the disease,” Dozier said. “Rabies testing is especially important to the health and safety of military personnel in deployed areas.”
During his career, Mr. Dozier has had the opportunity to further explore the scope of public health.
“Working in a veterinary treatment facility gave me a better understanding that public health, not just food safety and defense, is my primary focus as a food inspector,” Dozier said. spoke. “At VTF, I was responsible for treating military working dogs, tracking zoonotic diseases, and promoting the welfare of animals as well as humans.”
Even before joining the Army, Dozier always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.
“At any time, you could be told you’re going somewhere else to do something new. That’s the Army way,” Dozier said. “I have a passion for helping people and helping them stay as healthy as possible.”
Dozier is working towards his goal of becoming an Army officer in the medical field in the next few years, taking advantage of the Army’s commissioning program and attending college full-time. The AMEDD noncommissioned officer commissioning program allows soldiers to complete up to 24 months of nursing school while maintaining their rank, grade, and military benefits.
“As a medical professional, I can provide the care, support and education individuals need to achieve and maintain good health,” Dozier said.
According to Dozier, working in the healthcare field provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
“Follow your heart and it will lead you to your destination,” Dozier said.
