Marisa Romero Enlists in the Tennessee Army National Guard
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Army National Guard welcomed its newest member, Marisa Romero, to its ranks at Nashville’s Military Entrance Processing Station on Friday, January 31.
During a brief ceremony, Marisa, an 18-year-old graduate of Mount Juliet High School, was sworn into the military after enlisting for six years as a combat medic with the Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
“Serving in the military is something I’ve always thought about when I was growing up,” said Marisa. “I saw my mother, who’s a nurse practitioner in the Army Reserves, deploy to Fort Bliss, Texas, at the beginning of COVID to help Soldiers and everyone who was getting sick. I want to help others like she did.”
After completing her initial training, Marisa will administer emergency medical care to Soldiers and those in need in both combat and humanitarian situations. She will serve as a first responder and triage illnesses and injuries, like a civilian paramedic, provide medical care while not deployed, and teach first aid and basic lifesaving courses.
“I’ve always been interested in the medical field and serving my country,” said Marisa. “I can’t wait be able to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Marisa, who is currently a freshman at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in biology with a focus in pre-medicine, will attend her 10-week basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, beginning this May. After graduating, she will complete 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where she will learn the basic skills needed to be a combat medic.
“I only miss one semester of college classes for training, but I will earn college credits for basic training at AIT, so I will stay on track to graduate on time,” said Marisa. “I will also gain real-world medical experience while serving in the National Guard, which will help me be a better student and vice-versa.”
Presiding over her oath-of-enlistment was her stepfather, Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee National Guard who currently serves as commander of Smyrna’s 1-117th Regiment.
“I’m honored and proud to be able to administer Marisa’s oath,” said Haas. “I’ve raised her since she was 4 years old, and now I look forward to serving alongside her.”
Marisa Romero, an 18-year-old graduate of Mount Juliet High School and freshman at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in biology, says the oath of enlistment at Nashville’s Military Entrance Processing Station on Friday, January 31. Marisa enlisted in the Tennessee Army National Guard for six years as a combat medic with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. (photo by Samantha Dobler)
Marisa Romero, an 18-year-old graduate of Mount Juliet High School and freshman at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, poses for a photograph with her mother, Samantha Dobler, after swearing-in to the Tennessee Army National Guard at Nashville’s Military Entrance Processing Station on Friday, January 31. Marisa enlisted for six years as a combat medic with Tennessee’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. (photo by Lt. Col. Darrin Haas)
Author: Lt. Col. Darrin Haas
Last Updated: February 4, 2025
Category: Recruiting and Retention