USAF SSgt. Guanina Palermo is a certified pharmacy technician who works everyday in the heart of a US Army camp health clinic outside Kaiserslautern, Germany—she is the only airman working at the clinic. An eight-year veteran, Palermo started working at the pharmacy last May on loan from the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and has been the pharmacy’s noncommissioned officer in charge since arriving. The clinic’s commander has been so impressed with her interaction with the troops that he’s asked to have her permanently assigned. “I only want the best,” said Army Maj. Hugh McLean, clinic commander. “And she’s technically proficient, a professional, and a leader.”
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.